SB 1510 makes it harder for police to enforce traffic laws

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Just as Portland was rated the highest murder spike in America and just suffered from a deadly shoot-out weekend, the politicians in Salem are considering bills to further hamper what law enforcement can do. There is Senate Bill 1510, which would bar police from pulling over drivers for lights being out, and would require written or recorded consent before they could search a vehicle.

KGW-TV reports, “… Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, said prohibiting officers from making traffic stops for defective headlights and taillights would still create a safety hazard for motorists.The impacts on visibility are exacerbated on unlit rural highways, Oregon State Police Officers Association president Joshua Wetzel added.”One headlight not working could be likened to covering one eye 55 miles per hour or faster. Add in weather factors such as fog, rain or snow and this makes for a dangerous situation,” Wetzel said.”

The Oregon District Attorney Association testified, “…when law enforcement stops a person for lighting being out, it is often the first time the person becomes aware that the light needs replacing.“

Portland began not enforcing traffic violations in 2021 (both as policy and lack of staffing) and the result was the highest number of traffic deaths in 30 years.

The bill would also:

• [Make] changes to parole and probation conditions, such as aligning supervision conditions with state, not federal, drug laws.
• Direct the Department of Corrections to adopt rules concerning supervision reporting standards, such as when an officer can visit a person at their workplace.
• Appropriate money from general fund to Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for distribution to Northwest Health Foundation Fund II for Justice reinvestment programs.