Bob CollinsThe air-freshener-off-the-rear-view-mirror crime has apparently nabbed Minnesota Lynx star Seimone Augustus.
Augustus, who is black, is tweeting today that she was stopped in Roseville for having the air freshener — which is technically a violation of the law — but was then quizzed because of alleged crime in the area.
Supposedly he stop me for an air freshner hanging in my window, but then went on talking about theft at the mall
— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012
And the fact that my car was at the mall with out of town plates, WTH I thought this was a free country!
— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012
I didn’t know you can only drive minnesota cars to a minnesota mall and if not you must be stealing or doing something illegal.
— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012
Said he would write a ticket for the car freshner if I reported it! WOW! Well…
— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012
Also told me good luck on the game!
— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012
In many cases, police aren’t all that concerned about air fresheners; they’re looking for a legal reason to stop a motorist.
The air freshener justification for being stopped by police has been widely cited by those who are convinced they were stopped for “driving while black.” The illegal air freshener gives police the probable cause to stop a car beyond the possibility they were actually stopped for their race, according to the ACLU. Frequently, police search the vehicles.
It’s all perfectly legal. The Supreme Court said so in 1996.
In 2008, a federal appeals court ruled that a driver can be stopped for up to 30 minutes when pulled over for air fresheners. And last year, an immigration case in Illinois hinged on the air freshener debate. It, too, was upheld.
Here’s how the law reads in the state:
169.71 WINDSHIELD.
Subdivision 1.Prohibitions generally; exceptions.
(a) A person shall not drive or operate any motor vehicle with:
(1) a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to limit or obstruct proper vision;
(2) any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than:
(i) sun visors;
(ii) rearview mirrors;
(iii) driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment when mounted immediately behind, slightly above, or slightly below the rearview mirror;
(iv) global positioning systems or navigation systems when mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield; and
(v) electronic toll collection devices; or
(3) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law or authorized by the state director of the Division of Emergency Management or the commissioner of public safety.
