DRIVERS have mixed feelings about a new law imposing harsh penalties for fleeing during a traffic stop – drivers can face up to 30 years in prison.
In addition to being behind bars, drivers can be fined a minimum of $10,000.
A state passes a new law that severely punishes those who flee during traffic stops[/caption]
The law was passed to honor Officer Antonio Valentine, who was killed by a suspect fleeing in a stolen vehicle[/caption]
Missouri passed a law in February that went into effect August 28 called “Valentine’s Law” which enforces stricter penalties for fleeing from police during a traffic stop.
The bipartisan bill turned law was named after Antonio Valentine, an officer who was killed three years ago when his vehicle was struck by a fleeing suspect in a stolen car.
“It’s just a shame that it had to take an officer losing his life in the line of duty to do what is, frankly, common sense,” said Representative Justin Sparks, one of the sponsors for the bill, quoted by CBS affiliate KCTV.
“This is common sense. This measure, this law, should have already been in place.”
Lawmakers pushed for the law after the incident shed light on a growing problem the city has with fleeing suspects.
In 2023, St. Louis County said nearly 3,000 incidents of “failure to yield,” prompting several departments to step back from pursuing suspects, wrote Spectrum Local News.
Nine months into 2024, Ferguson County saw 86 incidents of suspects fleeing, reported FOX affiliate KTVI.
Joe Patterson, the Executive Director of the St. Louis County Police Association, said it didn’t take long for drivers to notice they weren’t being pursued.
“The bad guys figured it out pretty quick we weren’t chasing them, so now they just run from everything all the time,” he said.
“And often, when they’re running, they get away, but through technology, whether it’s license plate readers or cellphone trace or traffic cameras whatever, we’ll find them later on.”
Even with technology on their side, he worries about the innocent drivers who become endangered by reckless drivers looking to get out of a ticket.
“At least with a bill like this, when we strengthen the penalty we’ve got something to hold them accountable when we catch them,” he added.
The law redefined failure to yield as “aggravated fleeing from a stop or detention of a motor vehicle.”
The new definition comes with harsh penalties, like an automatic D felony classification if a fleeing car creates a risk of injury.
It’s just a shame that it had to take an officer losing his life in the line of duty to do what is, frankly, common sense. This is common sense. This measure, this law, should have already been in place.
Representaive Justin Sparks
A D felony typically results in a minimum of one year in prison.
If someone is seriously injured, that’s when a driver could spend 15 years in jail.
A charge can escalate to a B felony if someone is injured, and become an A-class felony if someone is killed.
Should someone die when fleeing from a traffic stop, it could mean an additional 10 to 30 years behind bars.
The fines were increased, too.
A driver can be fined up to $10,000 depending on the severity of the incident.
While many drivers supported the law, some have mixed feelings about not being involved.
Proper conduct during a traffic stop
According to the ACLU, there are a few tips for ensuring a smooth traffic stop, no matter the violation.
- Stop the vehicle in a safe place away from traffic as soon as possible.
- Kill the engine, roll down the windows, and place your hands on the driving wheel. If it’s dark outside, turn on the interior lights to give the officer a good visual. If you’re in the passenger’s seat, keep your hands visible.
- Only reach for your purse or wallet, registration, and proof of insurance when instructed to by the officers. Do not reach for the glove box until prompted by the officer.
- Do not make sudden movements. Narrate everything you’re doing, ie, “I’m reaching for my purse in the backseat.”
- Keep your tone calm and respectful.
Source: ACLU
“I do think the people should have been involved before they passed it,” Mary Burns told KTVI.
“I think we should’ve had as citizens a chance to speak. If it was a good thing or if it was not a good thing.”
Dobbie Herron indicated he wasn’t sure how he felt about the law.
“If the goal is to deter people from pulling off when an officer pulls them over, I think a year in jail would certainly motivate me to stay still,” he said.
“Is it appropriate? I don’t know; I guess that depends on the extent to which this is effective.”
