Sobriety Checkpoint Quick Facts
1. Vehicles are stopped in a specific sequence such as every other vehicle or every fourth, fifth or sixth vehicle.
2. Checkpoints are typically publicized in advance and signs are posted at the approaches to the checkpoints warning drivers that a checkpoint is ahead.
3. Police must have a reason to believe the driver stopped at a checkpoint has been drinking before a breath test can be conducted.
4. If the checkpoints are conducted properly, cars are pulled over at random according to their order in the sequence which diminishes the possibility of racial profiling.
5. Law-abiding people are sent on their way within minutes.
6. Average stop time is about the length of a cycle at a stop light.
7. The primary goal of a sobriety checkpoint is not to arrest people, but rather to deter people from committing DUI.
8. Sobriety checkpoints help stop drunk drivers who would likely remain under the radar.
9. The publicity from checkpoints reminds people who drink that drinking and driving don’t mix.
10. Research shows that for every dollar invested in checkpoints, communities save between $6 and $23 in costs from alcohol-related crashes.
11. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes to society is over $132 billion.
12. Research shows that checkpoints, if done correctly, can be effective with as few as three to five officers.