One tactic that the police sometimes use to find drunk drivers is to set up DUI checkpoints. This is much different than looking for signs of impairment and then pulling drivers over. Instead, police officers interact with every driver who comes through the checkpoint.
Naturally, some people do not want to go through these checkpoints, even if they are sober. But are you allowed to avoid them? If you find yourself driving down a road that ends in a checkpoint, could you turn around or even just turn down the street?
Be careful not to break any traffic laws
It is not illegal to avoid a DUI checkpoint. If you do so, police officers cannot pull your car over simply because you turned away from the checkpoint. You have a right to do so.
The key is to make sure that you do it legally. If you make any other traffic mistakes, they will give the police a reason to pull your vehicle over. Officers will be very likely to do so if they see you attempting to avoid the checkpoint.
For example, one man had a warrant out for his arrest, so he didn’t want to go through a checkpoint. The police didn’t know that at the time, however. But when he turned around, he committed an illegal U-turn. Officers attempted to pull him over, he ran from the police and the chase eventually ended in a crash.
Are you facing charges?
If you find yourself facing drunk driving allegations or any related charges, be sure you know exactly what criminal defense options you have. These charges can have a big impact on your future and you must know what steps to take.