Wichita ? Race was not an overriding factor in Wichita traffic stops, although blacks were stopped more often than other races, according to a study released Thursday.

The study showed a higher number of blacks were stopped for speeding, traffic accidents and defective equipment than were whites, Asians, Hispanics and American Indians.

Blacks, which comprise 11.4 percent of the city’s population, accounted for 20.7 percent of all police stops, the study found. Whites accounted for 71.1 percent of the stops and Hispanics 9.2 percent.

The study, which was paid for by the city, looked at four key areas: the decision to stop, the stop itself, the decision to search and the result.

The results were from 34,454 traffic stops between January and July 2001, said Brian Withrow, the Wichita State University professor who analyzed the results.

Officers used a form that asked for the race, age group, gender and ethnicity of all people stopped, whether a ticket was issued or not. It also asked for the reason for the stop.

Moving violations accounted for 53 percent of all stops made by police, with traffic accidents second at 19.5 percent and defective equipment third at 11.4 percent.

While the study acknowledged a race disparity within some routine enforcement practices of the Police Department, it could not determine how much, if any, was based on officers’ racial or ethnic prejudice.

Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams said the department has made proactive changes to improve recruiting of minorities and women and investigating racial profiling complaints.