DENVER (KDVR) — Drivers in Colorado who have been involved in a traffic stop may have been asked the question, “Do you know why I am pulling you over?”
A bill has been introduced into the Colorado legislature that would prohibit officers from asking that, and instead tell the driver why they are conducting the traffic stop.
One of the reasons for the bill is for officer safety. Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for the American Automobile Association, said simply limiting time during the stop could make all the difference.
“Law enforcement, drivers, folks like tow drivers would tell you the difference between losing your life at the roadside and the difference between a near miss is milliseconds. Sometimes it’s fractions of a millisecond,” he said. “The more we can do to streamline these transactions at the roadside, the better.”
Safety is a priority for law enforcement, but sponsors of the bill said drivers’ rights are also on the table.
“Many of my constituents don’t know that when you get pulled over, you don’t have to answer the question of, ‘Do you know why I pulled you over?'” said Sen. Faith Winter, a Democrat who is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Winter said the bill is also a way of adding more transparency with law enforcement involved in traffic stops.
“All we’re asking for is transparency and I think especially right now it’s really important that the community builds trust with our peace officers. I think this is one easy step to do that,” she said.
On Feb. 12, HB25-1243 was introduced. It will be read before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Similar legislation prohibiting police officers from asking why they have pulled drivers over has already passed in three states, including Minnesota, California and Connecticut.