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

Purpose The current study examines the effects of race, agency and environment on traffic stops in rural and non-rural spaces. Design/methodology/approach Using 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. Findings The 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/value This study provides one of the few examinations of racial disparities in traffic stops in rural places.