Montana to drop pull-over quota

Montana, once known for The Coolest Speed Limit Ever, recently received a lot of bad PR for a policy implemented on July 1st that required its state troopers to pull over at least one driver per hour. Reported last week, it basically confirmed everyone's worst suspicion about highway patrol - there is indeed a quota system in place. It's extremely difficult to justify pulling over drivers on an arbitrary basis, and had this continued, it very likely would have found its way to the courts. We're glad to see Montana's legislature doing the right thing and bringing an end to this. Additionally, the state patrol will be forced to drop its requirement stating that each trooper must issue at least 12 tickets a year for drunken driving or walking. Montana troopers will now be reviewed on the basis of their driving performance, court appearances, accident investigation skills, and number of complaints filed against the officer.