NH DUI Checkpoint Ban? Lawmakers Advance Bill

CONCORD, NH — A plan to ban drunk-driving checkpoints in New Hampshire recently received a key endorsement. House lawmakers last week approved House Bill 1283, which seeks to ban such checkpoints that have been held annually in the Granite State over the last decade. Police maintain checkpoints are an important deterrent; critics say they are unreasonable searches that violate citizens' rights.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Drunk-driving checkpoints have been conducted by police agencies across nearly every corner of New Hampshire in recent years. Under current law, police are required to obtain a judge's approval for a checkpoint and publicize it in the media before holding one. The checkpoints are usually held late at night; police select drivers and engage them in conversation to determine if they are driving impaired.

A group of five Republican state representatives — Brian Stone, of Northwood; Michael Costable, of Raymond; Larry Gagne, of Manchester; Kevin Verville, of Deerfield; and Scott Wallace, of Danville — sponsored House Bill 1283.

Last year, Missouri lawmakers eliminated funding for sobriety checkpoints after concerns over their effectiveness, according to the Associated Press.

One of the most recent New Hampshire checkpoints was held in August in Seabrook — 10 suspects were arrested, most on drunk-driving charges. Massachusetts police also regularly hold drunk-driving checkpoints.

Related:

• 10 Arrested In New Hampshire Seacoast Sobriety Checkpoint

Photo: A car approaches a sobriety checkpoint set up along a busy street in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Thursday, December 29, 2011. (Credit: Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press)