Racial Disparities in Traffic Enforcement: A Look at Palm Beach County, Florida

Traffic tickets are a common occurrence for drivers, but the likelihood of receiving one can vary depending on race and ethnicity. This essay explores the issue of racial disparities in traffic enforcement, specifically focusing on Palm Beach County, Florida. We will examine the potential causes of this disparity, its consequences, and potential solutions. Evidence of Racial Disparities in Palm Beach County Studies and reports suggest that racial disparities exist in traffic enforcement practices by law enforcement agencies in Palm Beach County. A key piece of evidence comes from a 2014 report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) titled "New Evidence of Racial Profiling on Florida Roadways" [1]. This report analyzed data on seatbelt violation citations issued by law enforcement agencies across Florida. The report found that in 2014, Black motorists in Palm Beach County were stopped and cited for seatbelt violations at a rate three times higher than white motorists by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office [1]. This means that Black drivers were much more likely to be pulled over and ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt, even if the overall seatbelt usage rates between racial groups were similar. While the ACLU report focused on seatbelt [...]