'I Clocked You Going 50 In a 25': A Discourse-Based Critique Of Police Procedural Justice Research Through A Sequential Exploration Of 'Voice' And Excuses In Traffic Encounters.

This article examines how drivers articulate accounts and excuses during routine traffic stops in the United States, focusing on the concept of "voice" within police procedural justice. Analyzing 50 audiotaped traffic encounters, the study identifies three main types of driver responses to police solicitations: interactional silence (minimal acknowledgments without extended talk), the provision of excuses and apologies following explicit announcements of infractions, and denials or negations in response to indirect questions such as "Do you know why I stopped you?" The findings highlight that while procedural justice emphasizes giving citizens a chance to speak, drivers often delay or forgo meaningful participation, using excuses strategically to mitigate culpability rather than fully engaging in dialogue. The study also discusses how police officers' questioning styles and control over conversational turns shape these interactions, suggesting that the notion of voice in procedural justice is complex and influenced by the asymmetrical power dynamics inherent in traffic stops.