Driving While Black: the App
On May 5, 2003, a blue Chevrolet Cavalier was pulled over on North Skidmore Street, carrying 21-year-old Kendra James. What began as a routine traffic stop turned tragic as James was shot and killed by Officer Scott McCollister when she tried to drive away.
Lawyers Melvin Oden-Orr and Mariann Hyland have taken James’ story to heart and created a smartphone app to educate African American drivers about their civil rights during traffic stops.
The app is called “Driving While Black;” it will provide drivers with information about their rights, tips for parents to teach their children about driving and simulations that run through police traffic stop scenarios."
People may feel frightened, vulnerable, or singled out by the police while being pulled over. The Driving while Black team hopes that being armed with knowledge can save lives."
*“I vowed that I was going to do something to educate youth about how to be safe, how to save their life during a law enforcement encounter,” Hyland said.
Even a chance viewing of an MSNBC segment helped create the app. Hyland watched an interview of a man who had created an app for drunk drivers and had an epiphany.
“I thought, you know, we need an app for black drivers, that's something that we really need.”
The app is expected to be available by the end of this December and will work on both iPhone and Android operating systems. Learn more about the app at www.dwbtheapp.com
http://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/22160-driving-while-black-the-app
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