I had a traffic stop today. Thought I’d share how it went.

• Although I do have a 5-star Passport card.
• I don’t have any plates either –
• didn’t register the car.
• I’ve covered my VIN number up on the windshield with black duct tape.

• that’s a mere traffic infraction without a damaged party. 
• And Traffic is defined under Title 41 & 42 as Commerce
• and Commerce is defined as transporting goods or people for hire. 
• Since I’m not involved in Commerce we’re done. 

1. Interstate Commerce Clause (U.S. Constitution):
   1. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.
   2. “Traffic” in older legal contexts sometimes referred to the movement of goods, people, or services across state lines, which could be interpreted as commerce.
   3. For example, early 20th-century cases like Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) discussed “navigation” and “traffic” in the context of interstate commerce.
2. Transportation and Trade: In some statutes or case law, “traffic” refers to the transportation of goods or people for commercial purposes (e.g., in maritime law, railroad regulation, or motor vehicle codes). This aligns with commerce but is narrower in scope.
3. Specific Statutes: Certain laws, such as those under the Department of Transportation or the Federal Trade Commission, may use “traffic” in the context of commercial transportation or trade practices, but this is typically under other titles, like Title 49 (Transportation).

Where in Title 41 and 42

• Title 41: Public Contracts
  Title 41 primarily deals with public contracts, including government procurement, contractor regulations, and related administrative processes. The term “traffic” might appear in specific contexts, such as transportation or logistics related to government contracts, but it is not broadly defined as “commerce.” Commerce in this context could relate to the movement of goods or services under contract, but there’s no overarching definition equating traffic with commerce.
• Title 42: The Public Health and Welfare
  Title 42 focuses on public health, welfare, and related programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and environmental regulations. “Traffic” might be referenced in specific regulations (e.g., human trafficking under 42 U.S.C. § 7102, where it refers to illicit activities like sex trafficking or forced labor). However, this usage is distinct from commerce as a general concept. Commerce might be implied in discussions of economic activity or regulated industries, but there’s no direct definition linking “traffic” to “commerce.”

Humor

“How could this be a traffic stop if not trafficking anything?”

Related Links

• Rebut the Presumption
• Driving in Commerce
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