CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Thursday it is relaunching an effort to stop the practice of racial profiling of state motorists by law enforcement officers.

ACLU Director Frank Crabtree said the renewed effort is a response to a February report that showed minority motorists in West Virginia were 1.5 times more likely to be stopped and twice as likely to be searched as white motorists.

The study, which was commissioned by the Legislature and conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice, also noted that once searched, whites were more likely to have drugs and other contraband than either blacks or Latinos.

The ACLU's campaign will focus on litigation, legislation and community outreach.

"Ultimately, significant adjustments to the state code may be needed to protect the rights of motorists on West Virginia highways,'' Crabtree said.

The Legislature has been debating racial profiling since 2002. Lawmakers adopted the Racial Profiling Data Collection Act in 2004 and approved rules governing the study in 2006.

The study required police to note the type of violation the vehicle was stopped for and whether the officers issued a citation or warning, or took no action. They also were to note the time and day of each stop, how long the stop lasted and the patrol area and county where the stop occurred.

Information contained in the survey was based on 301,479 traffic stops recorded by police across West Virginia between April 2007 and September 2008.

A legislative select committee on minority issues is expected to consider the findings during interim sessions this year.

The ACLU plans to promote its efforts through a series of statewide Know Your Rights seminars. The seminars aim to educate drivers about their constitutional rights as motorists on state roadways.

Several groups are joining the effort, including the state chapter of the NAACP.

Chapter President Kenneth Hale said people should work together to ensure "law enforcement works with communities to reduce crime and does not target minorities based on nothing more than flawed stereotypes and prejudices.''

ACLU Director Frank Crabtree said the renewed effort is a response to a February report that showed minority motorists in West Virginia were 1.5 times more likely to be stopped and twice as likely to be searched as white motorists.

The study, which was commissioned by the Legislature and conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice, also noted that once searched, whites were more likely to have drugs and other contraband than either blacks or Latinos.

The ACLU's campaign will focus on litigation, legislation and community outreach.

"Ultimately, significant adjustments to the state code may be needed to protect the rights of motorists on West Virginia highways,'' Crabtree said.

The Legislature has been debating racial profiling since 2002. Lawmakers adopted the Racial Profiling Data Collection Act in 2004 and approved rules governing the study in 2006.

The study required police to note the type of violation the vehicle was stopped for and whether the officers issued a citation or warning, or took no action. They also were to note the time and day of each stop, how long the stop lasted and the patrol area and county where the stop occurred.

Information contained in the survey was based on 301,479 traffic stops recorded by police across West Virginia between April 2007 and September 2008.

A legislative select committee on minority issues is expected to consider the findings during interim sessions this year.

The ACLU plans to promote its efforts through a series of statewide Know Your Rights seminars. The seminars aim to educate drivers about their constitutional rights as motorists on state roadways.

Several groups are joining the effort, including the state chapter of the NAACP.

Chapter President Kenneth Hale said people should work together to ensure "law enforcement works with communities to reduce crime and does not target minorities based on nothing more than flawed stereotypes and prejudices.''