Around the holidays, you will often see DUI roadblocks set up on major roadways. We are told that they are needed to stop DUI drivers.
How Effective are DUI Checkpoints?
Every so often you will see articles like this:
VERNON TOWNSHIP — More than 100 vehicles were checked by Pennsylvania State Police during a Thanksgiving holiday driving under the influence checkpoint in Vernon Township.
There were 104 motorists checked with one arrest for DUI, three arrests for drug possession and one arrest for fleeing police.
In addition, two driving under suspension citations were issued, along with one for driving under suspension DUI-related, one for speeding and one for seatbelt violation.
There were 15 other traffic citations issued, as well as 10 warnings given.
Over 100 vehicles stopped and 1 DUI.
These numbers are common. According to an investigation by WRTV in Indiana:
WRTV obtained statewide statistics from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for the past four years, which includes checkpoints funded through ICJI and NHTSA overtime grants.
Of the 91,278 vehicles that went through checkpoints, either drove through without stopping or those that stopped, less than 1% of the drivers were arrested for operating while intoxicated.
In San Diego:
Of the 3,045 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint, 813 vehicles were screened, Miranda said. Of 19 drivers who were given field sobriety tests, one driver was arrested for alleged DUI.
Simply put, these checkpoints do not yield results.
But at least they made other arrests
Most often, the arrests and citations given are for non criminal, non DUI violations. Most often you will see citations for tail lights being out, seat belt violations, overdue stickers etc.
This is problematic. In America, police cannot randomly stop you to see if you are committing a violation. That is not how our country works. Police must have probable cause to make a stop but through these checkpoints they skirt around that requirement.
Then why do they exist?
Here is an article that will give you a clue as to why:
The Police Department has received a state grant of $76,612 for DUI enforcement in town.
The grant, which comes from the state Department of Transportation, reoccurs multiple times a year, Police Chief Alaric Fox said.
Fox said the grant allows for patrol overtime and a range of dates the department can use for checkpoints for DUI enforcement with a particular emphasis on certain times of the year, including around the holidays in December.
It is simple. DUI checkpoints are funded by grants. Police departments get extra money to give officers overtime.
But there is a real danger with DUI checkpoints. This is an affront to our civil liberties and can be a gateway to other similar measures. Will we get “stop and frisk” measures next so officers can check if you are a criminal?
They are also putting common citizens, who have committed no crime, in high tension situations with police. If the past few years have taught us anything, the less interaction with the police the better.
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