Crime & Safety
Ask A Cop: Why Do You Announce Where You are Conducting DUI Checkpoints?
It seems to defeat the purpose of surprising drunk drivers.
Editor's note: This article was compiled by Patch Editor Brad Kava. He occasionally asks local law enforcement to answer readers' questions. Send your queries to brad.kava@patch.com. Thank you.
Question from Patchland: Why do you tell us where you are conducting DUI checkpoints ...and what if I see one and decide to turn around and avoid the Avoid the 13?
Answer from Campbell police traffic Sgt. Dan Livingston:
One reason DUI checkpoints are publicized is to raise awareness and to help people make the right choice before they get behind the wheel. If someone is aware that a DUI checkpoint is occurring we hope they are less likely to drive after having too much to drink.
Our goal is to reduce the amount of DUI drivers on the road. We would much rather prevent a driver from getting behind the wheel after drinking too much then catch them after they have made the bad choice once behind the wheel.
We do not single out drivers who may try to turn off prior to the DUI checkpoint who may be trying to avoid it. However, if our officers see that there are indicators that the driver may be DUI we would obviously try to stop the vehicle even if it turned off prior to reaching the checkpoint to determine if the driver was DUI.
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