What's happening
This bill prohibits police from stopping vehicles solely for certain minor traffic violations, requiring a more serious violation to be observed first.
Why it matters
Reduces pretextual stops. By restricting police from stopping drivers solely for minor, non-safety-related violations (like a single broken light or an improperly placed permit), the bill aims to limit stops that are often used as a pretext to investigate unrelated matters, which can disproportionately affect certain communities.
Shifts enforcement priorities. The bill distinguishes between “primary” and “secondary” violations—making clear that only more serious (primary) violations can justify a stop on their own. Lesser (secondary) violations can only be cited if a primary violation is also observed, signaling a prioritization of resources and enforcement toward more significant safety concerns.
Potentially impacts racial equity and civil liberties. Data has shown that minor traffic stops frequently contribute to racial profiling and negative police interactions. By limiting these stops, the bill could help reduce unnecessary confrontations and disparities in policing outcomes.
May affect municipal revenue and driver behavior. Limiting stops for minor violations could reduce the number of citations issued (and related fines), which may impact local revenues and alter how frequently drivers are penalized for minor equipment or documentation issues.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit Minor Traffic Stops
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
310
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. JACKSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting motor vehicle stops for certain violations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1210-a to read as follows:
§ 1210-a. Motor vehicle stops by a police officer. 1. For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Primary violation" means a violation of a provision of law of this chapter that does not constitute a secondary violation.
(b) "Secondary violation" means the following provisions:
(i) section four hundred one of this chapter, when the vehicle had been previously registered within the state within sixty days of the observed violation;
(ii) section 21.2 of title fifteen of the New York state codes, rules, and regulations, where the violation is related to the location of the permit but the permit is otherwise clearly displayed;
(iii) section four hundred two of this chapter, where the violation pertains to a plate not securely fastened to the vehicle but such plate is otherwise clearly displayed;
(iv) subdivision two of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter, where the violation for lighting equipment not illuminating is limited to a single brake light, head light, or running light; a single bulb in a larger light of the same; or any other single light or bulb of a vehicle light;
(v) subdivision thirty of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00959-01-5
(vi) subdivision forty-eight of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter; or
(vii) section three hundred one of this chapter or section 174.3 of title fifteen of the New York state codes, rules, and regulations.
2. A police officer or law enforcement officer may initiate a motor vehicle stop and, at their discretion, cite a driver for a violation of a primary violation without observing any other violation of the laws of this chapter.
3. A police officer or other law enforcement officer may initiate a motor vehicle stop for a secondary violation observed only where there is a simultaneously-observed primary violation for which an officer, at their discretion, could issue a citation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.