(WHTM) — Pennsylvania State Police announced they have received an independent analysis of data from all Trooper-related stops in 2024.

The study, led by Dr. Robin Engel, a nationally recognized policing expert and Senior Research Scientist at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, represents the latest findings from PSP’s voluntary ongoing data collection initiative designed to strengthen public trust, enhance trooper and motorist safety, and inform improvements in policy and training.

According to the study, there were no substantive racial or ethnic disparities in the reasons for stops and no substantive differences in post-stop outcomes (warnings, citations, and arrests) for Black and Hispanic drivers.

“The independent analysis by nationally recognized policing expert Dr. Robin Engel and her team confirms once again that Pennsylvania state troopers initiate stops for legitimate violations,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “Decisions about warnings, citations, searches, and arrests are determined by the facts—such as the reason for the stop, investigative findings, and the driver’s behavior during the encounter—not by race or ethnicity. Our commitment to fair and impartial policing is backed by transparent data.”

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“The Pennsylvania State Police’s continued investment in a comprehensive and accurate data collection process adds confidence to our statistical findings, which again show no substantive racial or ethnic disparities in traffic stops or post-stop outcomes,” said Dr. Robin Engel. “This level of transparency and accountability is essential for maintaining public trust and should serve as a model for law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth.”

The study analyzed 433,599 traffic stops in 2024, and moving violations accounted for about 60% of drivers stopped by Troopers. Other highway interactions resulted from registration, equipment, inspection, or license violations. The study says speeding was the most common reason for stops, with drivers exceeding the speed limit by an average of 21.7 mph.

The study said the majority of traffic stops resulted in either warnings or citations, and arrests occurred in only 3.7% of stops, while discretionary searches were conducted in just 2.2% of cases. The strongest predictors of all post-stop outcomes were legal factors, including the initial reason for the stop, observed evidence of criminal activity, the driver’s compliance, and any criminal history such as outstanding warrants, per the study.

To view the complete 2024 report, visit the Contact Data Reporting page of the PSP website.

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