An annual report released Friday by the attorney general found black drivers were 72 percent more likely than white motorists to be pulled over in 2011. Black drivers were stopped 2.5 times more often than Hispanic drivers.
The report compares racial characteristics of Missouri's driving-age population to the racial composition of drivers in the roughly 1.7 million traffic stops, 129,000 searches and 81,000 arrests.
Attorney General Chris Koster says the disparity for black drivers has grown in 10 of the last 12 years. He calls it a "disturbing trend" but says it is not conclusive evidence of racial profiling.
Police also were more likely to arrest black and Hispanic drivers and search their vehicles.
