What are sobriety checkpoints?
Sobriety checkpoints are a law enforcement technique where law enforcement officials evaluate
drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Vehicles are stopped in a specific sequence (e.g.,
every other vehicle or every fourth vehicle).
Is that legal/constitutional?
The Supreme Court ruled in Michigan v. Sitz that sobriety checkpoints are constitutional because
the small inconvenience that drivers face is overwhelmed by a compelling state interest in saving
lives.
How effective are sobriety checkpoints?
Right now, only one arrest is made for every 88 episodes of driving over the illegal limit. Thus,
having concentrated enforcement can help apprehend drunk drivers and deter those who hear
about the checkpoints from driving under the influence. The Centers for Disease Control studied
sobriety checkpoints and found numerous studies that show they can reduce alcohol-related
crashes and fatalities by 18-24 percent.
Won’t this cost state and local governments a lot of money?
Actually, there are significant cost savings from high-visibility enforcement. In addition, most
sobriety checkpoints are preformed through the use of federal grant dollars aimed at preventing
drunk driving. One study found that there was an average cost savings of $50,000 per
checkpoint, including over $3,000 in medical costs. Others have found that checkpoints save
between six and 23 dollars for every dollar invested. The annual cost of drunk driving related
crashes to society is over $130 billion.
Don't saturation patrols, or roving patrols, get more arrests than sobriety checkpoints?
Sobriety checkpoints have a higher visibility and raise the perceived risk of getting caught more
than do roving patrols or saturation patrols. This means they deter more people from committing
the crime of drunk driving and thus save more lives. Sobriety checkpoints have a strong
deterrent effect, which means that they may yield fewer arrests because they are doing what they
are supposed to do – prevent people from committing the crime in the first place. Sobriety
checkpoints are similar to a security checkpoint at the airport--they are done for the safety of
everyone and they don’t take much time.
Won't checkpoints cause a backlash against law enforcement?
A 2010 Study published in the USA Today by Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the
University of Minnesota showed 82% approval for sobriety checkpoints. Studies have found 90
percent approval ratings for sobriety checkpoints after checkpoints have begun, meaning that
support won’t trail off – it will grow.
What is the difference between saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols?
► Sobriety checkpoint: law enforcement evaluates drivers for signs of alcohol or drug
impairment at certain points on the roadway. Vehicles are stopped in a specific sequence,
such as every other vehicle or every fourth, fifth or sixth vehicle. Sobriety checkpoints must