Back on my soapbox...

[jrawk1120]

I gotta bring this up because it irks the crap out of me. I absolutely HATE DUI checkpoints. They are such a monumental waste of taxpayer dollars. They rarely catch actual DUI drivers and predominantly are used as ways to issue tickets for expired tags, no insurance or broken taillights. The kicker here is that there appears to be no national database providing info regarding the efficiency of these roadblocks. So in essence, taxpayer dollars are being dumped into a program that there appears to be no checks and balances system in place for.

Why my rant? I was once again stopped for a DUI checkpoint on New Years Eve, at 8:00PM no less. As I pulled up in my wife's car I remembered her telling me that her tags had expired and I needed to get them renewed. Of course I knew a ticket for driving on expired tags was coming. I handed the cop my license, registration and insurance card as required and true to form, he looked my stuff over, handed it back and told me to have a nice night. That's right, this cop who is supposed to notice whether or not I am driving while under the influence didn't even notice that right there in black and white that my tags were expired.

Am I happy I didn't get a ticket? Yes, even though it would have been a simple warning, but the point is that his job is to be aware and notice discrepancies. If he didn't even notice my tags were expired then he clearly wasn't going to notice if I was under the influence.

FYI, this is the second time my vehicle was not compliant with state law and they missed it at a DUI checkpoint. Last time I went thru my inspection sticker was expired and had been for 2 months.

So the second time your vehicle has been overlooked for minor infractions, and you still have a problem? Do you actually understand the point of DUI checkpoints. 99% of the time, they are announced well in advance so there is plenty of warning to drivers to find a different form of transportation.

I find it unreal that people believe the concept of picking up these minor infractions. A lot of big things come from minor traffic stops, such as burnt bulbs or expired tags. Chances of a person committing actual crime is a lot higher in a car with expired tags, or a burnt headlight.

But that doesn't bring up the point of a checkpoint. These checkpoints get people home safely. Half the time, if the drunk person is driving and have sober passengers, they don't even arrest the drunk individual.

Step off that soapbox and put it in the closet.

edit: also, go get your car taken care of. are you going to complain when they take your license plate and you can't drive home from where ever you are?

[jrawk1120]

So does it really cost the taxpayers more that usually? I mean we are paying the cops already & the checkpoints are just another part of their duty correct? Maybe I'm wrong in this but just seems to me they are paid the same rather checkpoints are being used or not. Maybe a little overtime is involved but I can't complain if they snag 5 drunk drivers, 3 drug smugglers, (happens here) or 40 illegals (also happens here) in the CPs. I applaud their efforts either way.

Usually it does mean overtime for the officers at the checkpoint. Can't pull all the officers off the street to set up these checkpoints. But does it really cost that much? Nope. A lot less than a funeral for someone the drunk could have hit and killed.

[37jetson]

I believe that just the threat of a DUI Checkpoint makes many people think twice before getting behind the wheel when they have had too much to drink.

[JustAlex]

WHOA!!!!

Wait a minute!!

A conservative is saying that he doesn't fully agree with the actions of cops....

Are we sure he's a conservative?

Someone take his conservative card away!

Welcome to the liberal side Duane!

BTW, Duane....is your basement as comfy as mine? I've got some extra bags of Doritos if you need some snacks!

[GroundSupport]

WHOA!!!!

Wait a minute!!

A conservative is saying that he doesn't fully agree with the actions of cops....

Are we sure he's a conservative?

Someone take his conservative card away!

Welcome to the liberal side Duane!

BTW, Duane....is your basement as comfy as mine? I've got some extra bags of Doritos if you need some snacks!

He owns his basement though. :D

[bryanATX]

Chances of a person committing actual crime is a lot higher in a car with expired tags, or a burnt headlight. What????.....

But that doesn't bring up the point of a checkpoint. These checkpoints get people home safely. Half the time, if the drunk person is driving and have sober passengers, they don't even arrest the drunk individual. WHAT???!!!!!

Please tell me im missing the sarcasm here....you cant be serious with these comments.

[gsj68]

i know when my headlight goes out thats a sure sign that there's some crime to be done but i try to keep it as white collar as i can

[jrawk1120]

He owns his basement though. :D

I actually lol'd at that one.

[duane1969]

So does it really cost the taxpayers more that usually? I mean we are paying the cops already & the checkpoints are just another part of their duty correct? Maybe I'm wrong in this but just seems to me they are paid the same rather checkpoints are being used or not. Maybe a little overtime is involved but I can't complain if they snag 5 drunk drivers, 3 drug smugglers, (happens here) or 40 illegals (also happens here) in the CPs. I applaud their efforts either way.

The cops earn overtime. So yes it costs more. What's more, at the checkpoints they do in my town they usually call in every cop, even the part-timers, so there can be as many as 6-8 cops working the DUI checkpoint in a town that the normal daily patrol is just 1 cop per shift. So yes, it costs quite a bit more and it is all funded by the Fed govt.

So the second time your vehicle has been overlooked for minor infractions, and you still have a problem? Do you actually understand the point of DUI checkpoints. 99% of the time, they are announced well in advance so there is plenty of warning to drivers to find a different form of transportation.

I find it unreal that people believe the concept of picking up these minor infractions. A lot of big things come from minor traffic stops, such as burnt bulbs or expired tags. Chances of a person committing actual crime is a lot higher in a car with expired tags, or a burnt headlight.

But that doesn't bring up the point of a checkpoint. These checkpoints get people home safely. Half the time, if the drunk person is driving and have sober passengers, they don't even arrest the drunk individual.

Step off that soapbox and put it in the closet.

edit: also, go get your car taken care of. are you going to complain when they take your license plate and you can't drive home from where ever you are?

You missed the point. My point in the license thing was to provide example of why the checkpoints are useless. If he can't even catch an expired tag when he has the expired registration form in his hand then what are the odds he will spot glassy eyes, slurred speech (I never spoke except to say "Hi") or notice if I am high? By definition I should have gotten a citation for the license and would have accepted it as such.

He owns his basement though. :D

Bazinga!!!!

[Star_Cards]

I don't know if they are a waste or not. Would have to look at the numbers I suppose. I get that it would be frustrating to get a ticket for expired tags at any point. In Indiana they usually give you an allowance of a month before they issue a ticket. I got one a few years ago and got lucky because it was given at an airport so it was just a $30 fine instead of $180.

I will say that the officer you had your encounter with seems to have been interested in just seeing your soberness or else he would have given you a ticket for sure. Not sure if that speaks to the overall point of checkpoints or not.