The Problem with DUI Checkpoints
Over the past few years, drunk driving has been one of the major killers, for both drivers and pedestrians. DUI attorneys defend thousands of clients involved in drunk driving daily, according to the information provided by the Institute on DUI statistics, 28 people lose their lives daily as a result of drunk driving. On average, more than 10,000 people are killed through road accidents caused by drunk driving. For that reason, state and local governments throughout the US have been keen on implementing strategies to reduce the rate of drunk driving on our roads. Although it has been a noble exercise, debates have been revolving around its effectiveness in curbing the menace of driving under the influence of alcohol in many communities.  Still, the increase in measures to secure more DUI arrests have increased the need to hire a DUI Attorney in Orange County.
What are the Major Points About DUI Checkpoint Weaknesses?
The police department has been vocal on seeking more resources to enhance DUI operations across the country. Nonetheless, they have failed to provide an explanation of the increasing rate of fatalities and injuries caused by drunk drivers.
Are DUI Checkpoints Effective at Finding and Detecting Drunk Drivers?
As statistical information proves, the implementation of DUI checkpoints has been one of the biggest government failures. First, the exercise of checkpoints has led to more serious problems along the roads. For example, traffic jams in town may be caused by the checkpoint. With the increased traffic pressure, the police have become less productive in finding actual drunk drivers that are a danger on the road.
One of the commendable alternatives is enforcing and also empowering existing DUI saturation patrols. They involve specialized police officers with adequate training on how to detect drunk drivers. According to facts provided by different bodies such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, DUI patrols have been the most effective strategy in reducing drunk driving. Still, many people are wrongfully accused; therefore, finding a DUI Attorney in Orange County will help in making sure that the charge does not become a conviction.
Traffic Officers Have Lost Focus on the Purpose of DUI Checkpoints
The primary reason for introducing DUI checkpoints along major roads and cities is to reduce the rate of drunk driving and instill discipline among drivers. However, most arrests made at most DUI checkpoints have no relationship with drivers under the influence of alcohol or any other drug charges. For example, most drivers arrested or ticketed at checkpoints are for charges such as lack of a driver’s licence, loud exhaust, having dark tinted windows, among others.
Differentiating the incentive obtained from such cases with that of a DUI charge, officers will most likely arrest the driver and release the one with a DUI charge. Such complications, however, emanate from poor governance and miscommunications among senior Government officials. DUI Officers lack official guidelines on the type of charges they should be handling, and procedures of dealing with different types of traffic offenses. With the current state of governance, incentives have become much more of a priority than the safety of people involved.
DUI Checkpoints have led to Harassment of Drivers by the Officers
Ethics is one of the professional requirements for any officer of the law, or an individual working for the general public. However, that has not been the case in most DUI Checkpoints. Cases regarding driver harassment by traffic officers have been on the rise in the past few years. Most traffic officers have been taking advantage of their constitutional power to meet their selfish interests.
There are different factors driving misconduct among police officers. Among them includes overstepping the driver’s constitutional rights, be demanding information that does not relate to an officer’s professional boundaries. Failure to provide such information leads to disagreements and escalates to harassment. Another factor includes poor training of security officers. It is essential to provide guidelines and knowledge on the best code of conduct among security and traffic officers.
DUI Checkpoints Have Become a Way to Make Money
The primary reason for introducing the exercise along major highways is to reduce accidents and fatalities caused by drivers under the influence. In spite of that, attention has been more on the incentive other than the course. For example, the government and other law enforcement agencies collect a lot of money in the form of fines and towing fees, which is also shared with different towing companies. That diverts the attention from taking care of passengers, law-abiding drivers, and pedestrians to enriching the respective stakeholders in the DUI exercise.
How Expensive are DUI Checkpoints?
The practice of setting up DUI Checkpoints has been regarded as a noble cause. However, is it a burden to the taxpayer, when compared to the results? Well, the answer is yes.  Annually, the high budgetary allocation is put towards ensuring all resources are available to conduct the exercise successfully. The Police department, on the other hand, has failed to hire officers with a bid of reducing workload for regular officers.
Police officers, on the other hand, have taken advantage of this work flaw, to make more money in the form of overtime. Currently, each checkpoint is allocated, 8 officers. According to law, each checkpoint is required to have a maximum of six police officers. That makes the exercise expensive as each year millions of dollars are spent on the exercise. Is the exercise really worth it? It may seem more like a money-making scheme for local government.
According to recent reports, different cities and county governments have been spending a lot of money on the DUI exercise. According to an analysis done by the New York Times, for example, determined that the government administration in Los Angeles has spent over 30 million dollars annually on the DUI checkpoint exercise. Comparing the government financial effort in funding the exercise, and the number of arrests made provides a clear picture of its ineffectiveness.
Conclusively, local governments have invested heavily on the DUI checkpoint exercise initially for purposes of protecting the interests of its citizens. Also, the aim of ensuring that sanity is restored on the roads as people move safely from one point to the other. As statistics indicate, thousands of families have lost their loved ones to road accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. Despite taking necessary measures in curbing the menace, stakeholders have not been serious in having a common goal that is reducing the rate of drunk driving. It is imperative for local governments to revise measures and policies that guide the exercise. By doing so, it will reduce the number of wrongful arrests and keep victims of DUI checkpoints from hiring a DUI Attorney in Orange County.