Driving While Black in South Carolina | How to Protect Yourself

We all know what it means and what it can mean for ourselves and our families. You don’t have to do too much work to find news stories or online articles that speak to the disparities that come when you’re a Black motorist. Driving while Black in South Carolina, and across the world for that matter, means we’re taking a big chance. We risk being targeted by a police officer – or anyone really – who may be racist, has a chip on their shoulder, or just happens to have a little extra time on their hands.  

Driving While Black in South Carolina 

The Everyday Stresses of a Black Mother 

Caucasian mothers with white children will never have to have the types of conversations that we do with our own Black and brown sons and daughters. We have to teach our children, our boys especially, to make sure their hands can be seen if they get pulled over. We have to remind them that they need to go above and beyond to show that they’re not a threat. It’s just not right, and not fair. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie

A study from 2018; Suspect Citizens: What 20 Million Traffic Stops Tell Us About Policing and Race solidified what we all already know. Driving while Black is a real concern, one that can have grave consequences. While the data for this particular study came from situations in North Carolina, the sentiment remains the same across the entire country. 

• Black motorists were 63% more likely to be stopped by a police officer even though they drive 16% less than their white counterparts, meaning they are 95% more likely to be stopped than others. 
• Black motorists were 115% more likely to be searched in a traffic stop than their white counterparts.  

Driving While Black: How to Protect Yourself 

While these numbers are staggering, they are hardly surprising. We know this already. So, what can we do? Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your loved ones, whether you’re driving while Black in South Carolina or Boise, Idaho. 

The minute you notice you’re being pulled over, be sure to begin looking for a safe space to get over to the side of the road. Put on your signal immediately, so the officer knows that you know you’ve been singled out. Once you’re safely to the side of the road, shut off your motor and stay in the car, put your hands on the steering wheel, and wait patiently for the office to approach your vehicle. 

Keep Your Hands Visible at All Times

Answer any questions the officer may have, honestly and truthfully. Only go for your license and registration when you’re asked. Tell the officer that you’re going to remove your hands from the steering wheel and reach into your pocket for your ID and/or your glove box for your registration. Narrate everything like you’re auditioning for a Samuel Jackson role. 

Once the officer takes your documents, just wait patiently until they come back. Hopefully, everything will check out and you can be on your way. If things start to go south, remember that you do have rights, but you’ll need to be polite and respectful. Don’t argue. 

You can, however, refuse a voluntary search of your vehicle. So, it’s important to be incredibly familiar with what your rights are where you live. And, if you’re traveling, read up on the local law as well. You don’t want to make a careless mistake.

Resources for Black Motorists

• Get familiar with your rights. Consult the Know Your Rights: Police Interactions For Black and Brown People guide for some helpful information to keep yourself safe
• Research sundown towns in your area. This can be controversial because so many will say that “things have changed.” Regardless, it can’t hurt to know what you may be up against when traveling
•  Read The Green Book of South Carolina. Yes, it’s a great resource for travel and history, but it will also give you a good sense of areas in South Carolina that may be more friendly to you and your family.
• Finally, take some time to look at the sheer volume of unarmed African Americans killed by law enforcement officers in the United States. If you feel as though you and your family are safe because you live in a nice neighborhood, or you always do the right thing when you get pulled over, it may help to read some about some of the heartbreaking situations that never should have happened. It can happen to anyone. It has and will continue to occur until, well….who knows? 

It’s unfortunate that we even need articles like this. But, we have to have these conversations with our loved ones and friends. This is just where we are at right now. A little preparation and knowledge before getting behind the wheel when driving while Black in South Carolina, can mean the difference between life and death.