Ancillary traffic infractions; certification.

This legislation modifies how Virginia law enforcement officers process certain minor traffic infractions, specifically those classified as ancillary. Under the new guidelines, officers are prohibited from stopping or detaining a driver solely for specific equipment-related violations, such as a broken taillight or an expired inspection sticker, unless the infraction is secondary to a separate, primary traffic violation. The goal of this change is to reduce the frequency of pretextual stops, which advocates argue disproportionately impact minority drivers and contribute to negative interactions between police and the community. By limiting an officer’s ability to pull over motorists for minor technical issues, the bill seeks to standardize traffic enforcement practices across the Commonwealth while focusing police resources on more serious public safety concerns.