Mecklenburg County Sheriff Eliminates Stops for Broken Tail Lights, Expired Plates

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office has instructed deputies to stop pulling drivers over for minor non-moving offenses, such as broken tail lights, improperly tinted windows or expired license plates.

The new policy took effect Sept. 19, and is intended to address racial disparities in traffic stops, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Sheriff’s deputies can still cite drivers for non-moving offenses, but only after stopping drivers for a more serious traffic violation, like speeding or running a red light…