Prior to moving to lovely Petaluma, California I had not ever seen, nor experienced a DUI checkpoint. I suppose it wasn’t a strange concept to me, and at face value the idea of a DUI checkpoint doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. When has it ever, and how would it ever become a good thing to have drunk drivers on our roads?!? However, after driving through these checkpoints and admittedly avoiding them for the sheer purpose of staying on schedule or just not spending the time waiting in the line of cars, I don’t know how big of a fan I really am.
The last DUI checkpoint that my fiance and I found ourselves stuck in was strange. Before we even knew there was a checkpoint we were surprised to see people standing outside with poster board signs warning Spanish speaking drivers (no, I did not have my night vision goggles with me but it was way too late at night for a garage sale or car wash so I think it’s fair to assume it was a warning) of the checkpoint. Also, because of my dumb luck, I was driving and didn’t realize till we were well within the checkpoint lineup that I had left my purse and therefor drivers license at home. It was a late night MoYo run for some tasty fro yo, of course I was ill prepared for this event, but at least I wasn’t making this late night run in slippers!
I have to say that once we were in the heart of the checkpoint I was surprised to see the size of the operation. There had to have been no less than half a dozen police officers, with cars, motorcycles, trucks, and a motorhome (what?) there, not to mention all the flashing lights, cones and signs. With all of these officers around I was very surprised that we didn’t draw any attention when we pulled a driver/passenger switcheroo. Or maybe I should be concerned that such a blatant change with my fiance getting out of the car and walking around to the drivers side didn’t catch anyones eye. Wouldn’t you suspect this would be on the list of suspicious activity to watch for at a DUI checkpoint?
There is reported success with these checkpoints though, ranging from unlicensed drivers (not me!) to abandoned stolen vehicles, and of course drivers suspected of being intoxicated (not us!). Even with the small handful of “suspected intoxicated” drivers stopped at this “DUI” checkpoint I can’t say that I disagree with the position of organizations such as roadblock.org. This group believes that these checkpoints are used to unconstitutionally threaten drivers freedom and often harass and intimidate them. Not only can you find and contribute to a list of known checkpoints, but you can brush up on your rights and get advice on how to handle such interrogations at this website.
With all of the commotion stirred up by the new Arizona immigration law I can’t believe that no connection has been drawn to ALL drivers being stopped at a “DUI checkpoint” and the right in Arizona to question and require identification from those suspected of being in the US illegally. How big is the difference between a mandatory stops and interrogations at a checkpoint and aggressively enforcing immigration laws?
If it’s not okay to stop people because it is suspected they are in the country illegally, why is it okay to stop ALL drivers to make sure they aren’t suspected of being intoxicated?
