MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A new Vermont bill could potentially lessen the severity of some traffic violations from primary offenses to secondary offenses, aiming to fix racial inequities in traffic stops in the state.

The offenses could include certain vehicle and pedestrian violations like a broken taillight, items hanging from a review mirror or jaywalking, WCAX-TV reported Thursday.

Traffic data from 2020 showed that Black drivers are three times more likely to be searched at a traffic stop than white drivers, the news station reported.

Rep. Hal Colston of Winooski praised the bill saying, “This is a way to help law enforcement do their job, and much, much more of a beneficial experience for BIPOC Vermonters.” (BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and people of color.)

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