Speeding While Black? Assessing the Generalizability of Lange et al.’s (2001, 2005) New Jersey Turnpike Speeding Survey Findings

Abstract

Across three months during 2001, Lange, Blackman, Johnson and Voas collected data from the New Jersey Turnpike to determine whether there were differences in speeding behavior grounded in race and ethnicity, while controlling for age and gender. They reported that Black drivers were more likely to speed at high rates (15 mph or more over the speed limit) in 65 mph speed zones, as were young drivers and male drivers. In the scholarly report of their research, Lange and colleagues concluded: "our research offer[s] a plausible explanation for the findings that Black drivers are represented among traffic stops at a higher rate than they are represented in the population." The present research assesses the generalizability of the findings reported by Lange and colleagues using data reported by Massachusetts State Police officers during April and May of 2001. We also find that Black drivers, young drivers, and male drivers are more likely to speed at high rates in 65 mph speed zones. We therefore remind scholars that Lange and colleagues' findings and our own are entirely consistent with theory and research on the correlates of law violative actions. Our fundamental conclusion, however, is that more research is needed to determine whether traffic stops for Driving While Black are in small part the result of Speeding While Black. Keywords age; gender; race and ethnicity; high rate speed zones; high rate speeding Richard J. Lundman is Professor of Sociology and a

Racial profiling : using propensity score matching to examine focal concerns theory.

“…Black male drivers were more likely to be cited, searched, and have a consent search take place compared to White male drivers. This evidence of racial disparity supports previous literature that minority male drivers are more likely to be stopped, searched, arrested, have a records check performed, and be the targets of use of force by the police (Cochran & Warren, 2012;Higgins et al, 2008;Lundman, 1979;Lundman & Kowalski, 2009;Moon & Corley, 2007;Schafer et al, 2006;Tillyer & Engel, 2010;Terrill & Reisig, 2003).…”

“…Researchers have found that police officers were more likely to stop, search, arrest, check records, and use force with male drivers (Barnum & Perfetti, 2010;Farrell, 2011;Higgins et al, 2008;Lundman, 1979;Smith et al, 2006;Smith & Petrocelli, 2001). Among male drivers, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians were more likely to be involved with police in stops, searches, arrests, records checks, and use of force (Cochran & Warren, 2012;Higgins et al, 2008;Lundman, 1979;Lundman & Kowalski, 2009;Moon & Corley, 2007;Schafer, Carter, KatzBannister, & Wells, 2006;Terrill & Reisig, 2003;Tillyer & Engel, 2013 Survey (PPCS, a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, N =10,317).…”

Not by accident: An analytical approach to traffic crash harm reduction

“…Second, although the outcome variable used in the current study (monthly vehicle crash counts that resulted in injuries) is consistently reported by police agencies, and has been used by many researchers (Erke et al's, 2009), other outcome measures are possible. These might include total vehicle crashes reported by (and to) police, as well as weight-adjusted outcomes to control for vehicle crash differences among higher risk populations (e.g., Black, male, and younger drivers-see Lundman & Kowalski, 2009). Future research examining a variety of outcomes would aid in the assessment of differences in vehicle crashes over time among higher-risk individuals, as well as across targeted locations.…”

“…When tactical enforcement components are typically considered within the broader criminological literature, the emphasis usually centers on issues related to equity of speed enforcement (Lundman & Kaufman, 2003;Lundman & Kowalski, 2009); citizen perceptions of law enforcement fairness and procedural justice during traffic or checkpoint stops (Engel, 2005;Mazerolle, Antrobus, Bennett, & Tyler, forthcoming); the constitutionality of sobriety checkpoints (Blade, 1991;Fiebig, 2010); the relationship between DUI arrests (i.e., proactive policing) on citywide violence rates (Kubrin et al, 2010;Sampson & Cohen, 1988;Wilson & Boland, 1978); multi-agency problem-oriented policing initiatives to reduce youth violence (Braga et al, 2001); and domestic violence (Sampson, 2006) among high-risk populations.…”

The Issue of Racial Profiling in Traffic Stop Citations

“…Researchers have found that police officers were more likely to stop, search, arrest, check records, and use force with male drivers (Barnum & Perfetti, 2010; Farrell, 2015; Higgins, Vito, Grossi, & Vito, 2012; Higgins, Vito, & Walsh, 2008; Lundman, 1979; Smith et al, 2006; Smith & Petrocelli, 2001). Among male drivers, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians were more likely to be involved with police in stops, searches, arrests, records checks, and use of force (Cochran & Warren, 2012; Higgins et al, 2012; Higgins et al, 2008; Lundman, 1979; Lundman & Kowalski, 2009; Moon & Corley, 2007; Schafer, Carter, Katz-Bannister, & Wells, 2006; Terrill & Reisig, 2003; Tillyer & Engel, 2013). The following section will look at the previous literature on racial profiling using traffic stop data.…”