11/1/2016
All-Time Most Popular Stories on TheNewspaperA look at the top-ten most read stories on the site, updated February 2019.
The following ten items represent the all-time most viewed stories on TheNewspaper.com.
- Michigan: Police Search Cell Phones During Traffic Stops
The Michigan State Police acquired technology that allows police officers to download information from smart phones belonging to stopped motorists, a troubling precedent giving the willingness of courts to allow warrantless searches of electronic devices during a traffic stop.- St. Louis, Missouri Traffic Stop Videos
The video of an out-of-control police officer screaming at motorist Brett Darrow during traffic stop drew headlines across the country. Our coverage began with the story and video of the stop with follow-up stories about how area police continued to harass the young motorist, and even threaten him, over the publicity. This was not the first time we covered a Darrow video. In 2006, we reported on a DUI roadblock video where police similarly admitted they would "find a reason to lock you up."- Virginia Introduces $3550 Speeding Ticket
TheNewspaper helped bring attention to the Virginia legislature's move "to generate revenue" by imposing a mandatory $1050 tax, on top of an existing $2500 maximum fine, on anyone driving 15 MPH over the state's top speed limit of 65. This became a top campaign issue in the state for 2007, and the law was completely repealed.- Massachusetts Court: Marijuana Smell Not Enough for Traffic Stop
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 2011 ruled that a police officer may no longer search a motorist merely on the basis of smelling pot.- Virginia: Unknown Traffic Violation Carries $2500 Fine
The state of Virginia also imposed $2500 maximum fines for so-called "move over" violations. The state police admitted in a news release that nearly three-quarters of the public had no idea that this was even an offense.- Florida: Changing Car Color Does Not Justify Traffic Stop
The Florida Court of Appeal ruled in 2013 that repainted cars should not be automatically subject to traffic stops.- Oregon Cop Fined $181,170 For Kicking Motorcyclist
A jury in 2016 found an Oregon police captain liable for $181,170 in damages for delivering a karate kick to a motorcyclist during a traffic stop.- Ohio Town Ordered To Repay Every Speed Camera Ticket Issued
Court orders the village of New Miami, Ohio to repay every cent collected from motorists by a speed camera program that was ruled unconstitutional.- California: Stop Sign Cameras Installed on Canyon Roads
TheNewspaper was first to report in 2007 that a little-known government agency in Los Angeles, California installed the country's first stop sign camera (as opposed to a red light camera) to issue automated tickets for "boulevard stops."- California: Police Raid Car Enthusiast Gathering, Generate Revenue
Riverside, California cops descended on a parking lot in 2008 to issue "modified car" tickets at local car enthusiast gathering.