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by JUSTIN PRITCHARD, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, February 27, 2003 (02-27) 18:24 PST SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --

The California Highway Patrol settled a major racial profiling lawsuit by agreeing to extend a ban on some car searches and requiring that officers articulate a reason for each drug-interdiction traffic stop, instead of offering a hunch the driver may be running contraband.

Under the settlement, filed Thursday in federal court, the CHP effectively foregoes policing practices that the U.S. Supreme Court has deemed legal but state officials have concluded, on balance, aren't worth it.

The settlement also requires the agency to track all stops and review that database to ensure no officer is pulling over a disproportionate number of black or Hispanic motorists. It requires CHP to pay $875,000 in legal fees and damages.