AAA Takes Stand Against Racial Profiling

    PALM DESERT, Calif.--May 2, 2001--AAA spoke out here today against the practice of racial profiling by law enforcement officials at its 98th Annual Meeting.
    Delegates attending the meeting urged law enforcement officials on all levels to not tolerate or engage in the practice of substituting race or ethnic background for evidence as grounds for suspicion.
    "We recognize that the vast majority of officers do outstanding work on behalf of the motorist," said Susan Pikrallidas, AAA vice president of Public Affairs. "We want to help ensure that all motorists, regardless of race, are protected by the constitutional right to lawfully travel across the nation without police or government interference."
    Specifically, the delegates noted their support for federal, state and local law enforcement efforts to gather statistics to ensure traffic laws are enforced in a just and uniform matter.
    In addition, the association reaffirmed its long-standing position that the use of public highways by law-abiding citizens is a right, but that driving is a privilege based upon qualifications and a satisfactory driving record.
    Currently, 11 states have laws to address racial profiling by law enforcement and several others are studying the issue. On the federal level, the Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) has introduced legislation to require the U.S. Attorney General to conduct a nationwide study of stops for traffic violations by law enforcement officers.