A team of University of Florida researchers has partnered with campus police to test a newly developed mobile application aimed at easing tensions and preventing misunderstandings during traffic stops between drivers and law enforcement.
The free app, called Virtual Traffic Stop or VTS, allows officers to communicate with drivers through smartphone video before physically approaching a vehicle. The goal is to reduce any anxiety caused by the stop through the initial video interaction, making the interaction safer for all.
"VTS empowers drivers and law enforcement to navigate traffic stops with ease and confidence by serving as an ice breaker that fosters an open dialogue between all involved," said Juan E. Gilbert, Ph.D., a UF computer science professor. "There are so many different ways where VTS can provide an opportunity to de-escalate a stressful situation, making traffic stops safer for everyone."
Gilbert, the Andrew Banks Preeminent Endowed Professor and chair of UF's department of computer and information science and engineering, created the app with a team of students after a series of police shootings, starting with one in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. The app is available for download on iOS and Android devices.
