Race, local context, and traffic stops: an examination of racial profiling in traffic stops in rural and non-rural places

PurposeThe current study examines the effects of race, agency and environment on traffic stops in rural and non-rural spaces.Design/methodology/approachUsing traffic stop data collected in a Midwest US County from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, the current study uses logistic regression to examine racial disparities in traffic stops.FindingsThe results indicate that police decision-making in traffic stops may be influenced by other factors besides a driver’s race or ethnicity. In other words, the police officer’s decision making in a traffic stop varies between small and large agencies as well as rural and non-rural places.Originality/valueThis study provides one of the few examinations of racial disparities in traffic stops in rural places.