What do you think about sobriety checkpoints?

Question

I belive it violates my 4th Admenent rights, unresonable search? I went threw one last night I wasnt drinking but yet I have to wait 15 minutes by 30 cop cars and must show my ID and answer a bunch of stupid questions and why? What did I do? I just happen to be driving down the road... I read that 11 states have banned such checkpoints because they belive it violates our US constitution as well as their own states legislature. Whats your take on them?

Answer 1

Well, as an American governnment teacher, I can tell you that your 4th amendment rights can certainly be violated at a checkpoint. Here's the thing. You DO NOT have to talk. You DO NOT have to answer any questions. You DO have to show proper licensing and possibly insurance. THAT IS ALL. Look straight ahead. I would press any court to tell me that I have to stick anything in my mouth or on my face (breathalizer) without probable cause. The police can try to get a warrant to search your car, but they must have reasonable suspicion to ask for the search. Without the smell of alcohol, containers present, or something to lead them to believe you've been drinking, they can't. I will not be harrassed at one of these and I hope you aren't either. They may be necessary on holidays and places where alcohol abuse takes place too much, but I don't leave my "unalienable rights" at home. They are in the car with me. Keep them close, because for many people, they are fading away.

Answer 2

I think checkpoints are a great idea. The thing is, the police can't be in every place all the time. A lot of times, cops get called about someone driving off the road or driving crazy on the road...but of course, thedon't want to get involved enough to write a statement or follow the vehicle unitl the cop can catch up to them. SOm many times, these criminals get away and put everyone elses life at danger. So, with checkpoints, you can't check everyone in the city driving, but a lot more than you could trying to find them one by one inbetween handling regular complaints. If you don't have anything to hide, I don't see what the big deal is....It's for everyone's safety.

Answer 3

Driving while you are intoxicated is not only irresponsible, but it is also against the law. Hundreds of innocent people have died on public roads because of someone who was only thinking about having a good time and who wasn't concerned with the consequences.

As MADD pushes this issue further into the spotlight, I won't be surprised if in the future all cars are equipped with a device that won't start the engine until you have blown into a tube that measures your alcohol consumption.

I agree that when check points are set up, it is a fishing expedition and definitely violates our rights. But I'm not saying I disagree with it. When some one gets into a car who is intoxicated and shouldn't be driving, they are taking my life and the lives of my children into their own hands.

Answer 4

The cops found a new way of getting money for nothing. Instead of having for cops check for drunks they bring 20 or thirty like there are so many criminals out there. Meanwhile the countryside is getting plundered by the roving big city gangs pushing their drugs. The cops do not want to mess with them but prefer to pick on old ladies that are on the way home from bingo. It is nice to say that if they catch one drunk they may save lives but for every one they catch 20 are taking back roads because they know the routine.

Answer 5

Well, I think that if it keeps some drunk asshole from plowing into an innocent family and wiping them off of the face of the Earth, than it is a good thing. I am all for safe driving out there, and I would be fine with checkpoints even if it inconvenienced me awhile.

Answer 6

If its the law in your state obey it,and be glad they are trying to stop drunk drivers.It never bothers me ,I am use to it because I fly alot ,having check points and searches at airports is a good thing .its to protect all the people,not just a few.
So you were inconvenienced a little that's the price you pay in a society governed by laws.We all must obey them.I don't want my self or my family endangered by a drunk driver and if the check points help then so be it.

Answer 7

Although the efforts of the police is to stop drinking alcohol or taking any type of medication that may impair your driving, the effort should be conducted at bars and at peoples home as well.

In the same manner you blow into a devise that will indicate whether or not you are impaired, that same device should be placed in peoples home or at the entrances/exits of every bar and restaurant.

By using a straw and discarding that same straw when finished, a person should be able to blow into some type of test/indicator and see whether or not they are impaired at that particular bar/restaurant before they leave.

If the meter indicates they are impaired, it should be their responsibility to call a taxi or have someone come and pick them up.

Let's utilize the police where they are needed and allow the general public to police themselves.

Answer 8

There needs to be more of them. You ever lost a friend or family member to a drunk driver? I could care less how long you have to wait, or how many questions you have to answer, if it causes a potential drunk killer to be stopped. Get a life. Your time is not that important in the grand scheme. Deal with it.

Answer 9

No doubt, it is an inconvenience to get caught up in one of these. Although I may not agree with the principle's involved with putting these things up, I understand that they do save lives. I suppose that is more important than anything else.

Answer 10

I think that the checkpoints are a very useful tool in stopping drunk people from driving. Unless they suspect that you are drunk or high, you have nothing to worry about. Would you want a family member dead from a drunk? Think about that.