The rate at which black drivers were pulled over in Missouri, compared to the rate at which white drivers were stopped, reached last year its highest point since the state began collecting that data in 2000, according to a report from the Attorney General’s Office.

The annual report said black drivers were 75-percent more likely to be stopped. That disparity increased from the previous year, and has climbed from a 31-percent difference in 2000.

The office said that data does not offer an explanation of the disparity. Attorney General Chris Koster declined to answer questions from Missourinet about the report.

In a written statement he said the, “statistical disproportion does not prove that law enforcement officers are making vehicle stops based on the perceived race or ethnicity of the driver,” but added, “this compilation and analysis of data provides law enforcement, legislators, and the public a starting point as they consider improvements to process and changes to policy to address these issues.”

See the full report at the Attorney General’s Office’s website.