REASONS FOR NON-USE OF SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS (NHTSA REPRINT)

Despite their promise and judicial approval, sobriety checkpoints appear to be under-used by U.S. police. In a few states, judicial or administrative rulings inhibit their use, but in the bulk of jurisdictions police have the discretion to make the decision. The following reasons for nonuse and the counterpoint argument for their use are examined: Lack of Fruitfulness - Counterpoint: Other Measures of Success; Inadequate Resources - Counterpoint: Maximizing Available Resources; Boredom for Police, Danger for Police and Motorists - Counterpoint: Boredom, Danger Mitigated; Public Relations Damage - Counterpoint: Improving Public Relations; Objection in Principle - Counterpoint: Principle Upheld by Courts; and Lack of Political Support - Counterpoint: Creating Increased Awareness.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This article is reprinted with permission of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc. The article was first published in "Police Chief", November 1992, Vol. LIX, No. 11, pp 58-63.
  • Corporate Authors:

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Ross, H L
  • Publication Date: 1993-1

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00721344
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 918
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: May 2 1996 12:00AM