The controversial case of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man who was beaten to death by five police officers, started because of something so trivial — a traffic stop. The events that followed show that something as simple and insignificant as having an alleged traffic violation can lead to fatal consequences.
A conversation needs to be had about how to avoid these encounters with the police. Because no matter how minor, a wrong statement or a bad day can cause these things to escalate.
The smallest measures, from having properly displayed plates to ensuring that the car's taillights are working, can minimize the odds of having a fatal police encounter and save a life.
Have the Correct Plates
Something as minor as having the wrong plates in a car can be a reason for police to stop a driver. And it's happened time and time again when a routine stop leads to a fatal situation.
Police officers have mistaken a driver reaching for their license and registration as pulling out a gun and immediately reacting by discharging their weapon. And this scenario can easily escalate and end badly.
Make Sure Plates are Visible
Some states have very specific requirements about how plates should be displayed in a car. In Indiana, for example, plates should not be in a car's back window, nor should there be anything covering it. As a general rule, plates should always be visible and the car's taillights should always be working.
Any violation of this that police notice will definitely lead to the driver getting pulled over. And again, a small situation like this can lead to a fatal ending.
Why These Small Details are Important
These small measures, while unable to completely avert a police encounter, can decrease the odds of it. And from what was learned from the Tyre Nichols case, every little thing counts.
Simply not giving a reason for the police to stop a car on the road can prevent an unfavorable police encounter and eventually, save a life.
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