How do DUI checkpoints operate?

DUI checkpoints operate by establishing a predetermined location where police set up roadblocks to systematically check vehicles for signs of impaired driving. This method allows law enforcement to stop drivers in a controlled environment, enabling them to assess drivers’ sobriety based on observable behaviors and indicators. The goal of these checkpoints is to deter drunk driving and enhance public safety by identifying impaired drivers before they cause accidents.

In contrast, randomly stopping vehicles without notice does not provide a structured approach and can lead to legal challenges regarding randomness and discrimination; therefore, it is not how checkpoints are intended to function. Waiting for vehicles to speed by does not align with the proactive measures taken at checkpoints, where law enforcement is actively engaging with all drivers in a specific area. Additionally, focusing only on checking cars with multiple passengers limits the scope of enforcement and does not address the broader issue of impaired driving that checkpoints aim to tackle.