Back on my soapbox...

[jrawk1120]

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.

You're the one missing the point. The point of these checkpoints is not to nab people for that little stuff. Just because it happens, doesn't mean thats the purpose, and complaining that they overlooked it, is absurd.

[duane1969]

You're the one missing the point. The point of these checkpoints is not to nab people for that little stuff. Just because it happens, doesn't mean thats the purpose, and complaining that they overlooked it, is absurd.

Actually my point was that these little things comprise the bulk of what they do, but in this case it was overlooked, showing a lack of overall competence or interest in performing the task.

[duane1969]

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.

That is the kicker. No reliable data regarding how many DUI drivers they catch versus other citations issued seems to be available.

I would agree the officer I dealt with was more interested in my soberness if he had paid any attention to me. He walked up, took my documentation, scanned it, handed it back and told me to have a nice night. Never shined his flashlight on my face and to be honest I never saw him even look at me.

[Star_Cards]

That is the kicker. No reliable data regarding how many DUI drivers they catch versus other citations issued seems to be available.

I would agree the officer I dealt with was more interested in my soberness if he had paid any attention to me. He walked up, took my documentation, scanned it, handed it back and told me to have a nice night. Never shined his flashlight on my face and to be honest I never saw him even look at me.

Suppose it's possible they are also using it to look for people with warrants?

[duane1969]

Suppose it's possible they are also using it to look for people with warrants?

Yes they do that as well.

[jrawk1120]

Actually my point was that these little things comprise the bulk of what they do, but in this case it was overlooked, showing a lack of overall competence or interest in performing the task.

their task isn't to cite you for your lack of registration, or your ignorance to register your vehicle. Their task is to find drunk drivers.

[duane1969]

their task isn't to cite you for your lack of registration, or your ignorance to register your vehicle. Their task is to find drunk drivers.

Which was my point...and why I said you missed it. My whole point was that most of what they do at DUI checkpoints is write citations for stuff like expired inspection and no insurance when their job is supposed to be DUI prevention, and then they even overlooked when my registration was expired.

[deansayso]

their task isn't to cite you for your lack of registration, or your ignorance to register your vehicle. Their task is to find drunk drivers.

Why not? Why only drunk drivers?

[jrawk1120]

Why not? Why only drunk drivers?

Because the point of a sobriety checkpoint is to check for impaired drivers. Not for minor traffic infractions. What is so hard to understand? Its in the name!

[bryanATX]

....but as long as you have some sober people with you, youre fine being drunk and wont get arrested anyway. So what is the point then?