Went through a police roadblock tonight...

[MAS]

They were checking for drinking divers, etc.

Anyway, the cops didn't even ask me if I had been drinking (which I hadn't , BTW), nor did they want to see my DL or my insurance. All they wanted to do was ask me about my Porsche...

"What year is that?", "Gee, that's really classic-looking...", "Is that a turbo?", "No, OK then I guess the tail was an option..."

-MAS

[Rick Lee]

Don't be so easily fooled. They were just trying to get you to talk. Here in Fairfax Co., they actually have sensors built into their flashlights which can tell them if you have any booze on your breath. That's when the questions turn from "Is that a turbo?" to "Have you had anything to drink tonight?".

[Jdub]

Richard:

That is deviously clever.

Jw

[MAS]

Could be... except he didn't have his flashlight out. Anyway, over here they just come out and ask if you have been drinking... the very first question, usually.

-MAS

[cegerer]

"they actually have sensors built into their flashlights which can tell them if you have any booze on your breath. "

Are you serious? Holy crap. I got pulled over last week at around 2 in the morning - 200 yards from my driveway!!! Instant-on radar got me for 61 in a 45. Wasn't drunk by any means but had a couple of drinks that night and thought for sure I was in HUGE trouble. Had the Peppervagen and he was very interested in hearing about it. Went back to write me up anyway. Then suddenly I see him walking QUICKLY toward my window (ever hear The Doors song 'This is the End'?????????????). He says, 'here's your paperwork, I've got an emergency call. I know ya got a fast car here, but try to keep the speed down." Wiping sweat from brow .......

[Zeke]

I don't know about 'built in to the flashlight,' but that device does exist. It can detect alcohol in the cabin, whether it's you or your passenger's.

[osidak]

They have those flash lights down in Myrtle Beach as well. Nifty little flash lights.

I have gone through so many check points it is almost routine. Previous job had me on the roads when check points are common. Early on in the game (When I first got my license) I was running late for my job and got caught in a checkpoint. I sat for a few moments and decided to make a U-Turn and took off another direction. I got pulled over so quick I couldn't even think wow. Wasn't doing anything wrong and I explained to the cop why I turned around and he let me go with a very strong warning.

The other old but still clever checkpoint method. Setup signs on the interstate declaring a checkpoint ahead (usually drugs) then actually have the checkpoint setup at the very next exit. All the guilt people get nervous and make an exit and get caught. Stinks for people actually getting off at that exit. As they generally get 20 questioned.

[joehahn]

...agree with Rich. only a ploy. much like coming across border (from anywhere) and get the idle chit-chat "how was your trip? where did you stay? nature of your business?" from customs. everytime it reminds me of that scene in midnight express. i have never smuggled drugs but i start sweating like billy hayes anyway!

joe 68 L

[Superman]

I think you all know I agree with Noah. Driving through the old Soviet Union, or perhaps Nazi Germany, I'd expect roadblocks where I'd be subjected to a surprize "interview" and be asked to show my travelling papers. But I thought this was America. Perhaps Amerika. I guess "Freedom" is for commercial activities. "Freedom" is getting an interesting meaning in our country.

[joehahn]

...i concur superman. i vaguely recall though that to avoid scrutiny of "unlawful search and siezures" they only check every 3rd car or something like that. but i still think even that is bull$hit because if one of the other 2 cars "let by" contains some guy freaking out or barely coherant or whatever then that is "probable cause" and they can stop that guy. i am actually right/moderate but some of the recent decisions expanding searches etc are a little crazy (IMHO)

[TerryBPP]

I'm sure that if someone you know, god forbid, got hit by a drunk driver you wouldn't mind the check points. Not the best solution but it work, kinda like porsche A/C.

[HawgRyder]

You guys are lucky....just try riding a chopper for 40 years....
Getting pulled over for a "safety check" is normal.
Get out your ID....wait for 20 minutes for the computer to check for warrants....get the once-over from the law....and then they begrudgingly let you travel on....only to get stopped again in the next county or division.
Had one uninformed officer try to confiscate my bike on "bad numbers"...he did not know that a Harley EL existed...though that I was so stupid to not know to stamp the cases FL.
Bob

[joehahn]

well said Terry. here's another one! in ohio they are changing the law so that if you are stopped and even simply refuse to blow (common practice) you not only have an instant license suspension for 6 months but also a flourescent yellow license plate w/blaze orange letters! (for occupational privileges or during post suspension period) all the world knows you are an a-hole driving around drunk! unbelieveable! murderers, rapists and child molestors don't have these plates but DDs do! i know i have amended my drinking and driving habits. that last beer or 2 (or 5) have now turned into cans of soda)

[boyo]

No special equiment is usually required to detect alcohol, most officers are equipped with noses... Drive around on a cold night, your windows will be up. Roll them down after drinking a few, and it's plainly obvious without saying a word!

Beyond that, the flashlight IS the device to detect alcohol consumption. You can detect involuntary movement of the eyes typically associated with heavy alcohol consumption by moving the bright light around. The breathalizer is only used because it'll stand up in court, you can record the results.

No James Bond type gadgetry required.

-Boyo

[Rick Lee]

As much I abhor police intrusion into my personal space, I will concede that they probably have the right to ask you simple questions when you are driving on a public road. They don't start rummaging through your trunk at a sobriety checkpoint. They just ask if you've been drinking. If they wanted to search my car, I'd refuse no matter what the circumstances. BTW, I've been through plenty of checkpoints in Germany and Austria, so it's not that uncommon for liberal Democracies.

[targa911man]

We have a steeplechase here in VA called the Gold Cup. Much drinking goes on. As you leave the event there is a bf flashing sign saying "Alcohol Checkpoint Ahead--Don't Drink and Drive" Everyone who pulls over to change drivers is arrested. I didn't pull over and never saw a checkpoint for 20 miles.

[osidak]

Let me start off by saying, I am all for nailing drunk drivers.

That being said in NC if you refuse to blow you get an automatic 1 year suspension (you are not convicted however) which is fine with me. Where I have a problem.

Lets say you go out and drink to much, you realize this and decide to sleep it off in your back seat. If a cop finds you and finds your car keys on you or in the car you can be given a DUI.

If you make a mistake and get into a car with a drunk driver and that person is pulled over. You must both blow. If you are less intoxicated than the driver you will get one as well as you should have prevented the driver from driving.

If you get onto your bicycle and go your merry way and get stopped by a cop you just got a DUI.

As I said before I am all for nailing drunk drivers especially repeat offenders but the things I listed above are just plain stupid.

Oh the sleeping in the back seat thing happened to me. Knowing the above law I put my keys in my trunk. When harassed I advised the cop my keys where in the trunk. He dropped the DUI work up and told me I was not allowed to sleep in my car. So I called a friend to come pick me up

[Schrup]

In 89 I got nailed by the Polizei at a check point on a big bridge in Manheim on the way home from a W.A.S.P. concert. Worst concert I've ever seen (lipsync) in the worst venue, the Disco Circus (tent). Worst night of my life, ruined my Air Force career & ultimately my marrage. My supervisor & NCOIC had DWIs, but a new commander wanted to make an example of me, & the drunken first shirt was more than willing to help. I guess I got what I deserved, one of lifes hard learned lessons.

[Rick Lee]

Yeah, I learned this lesson the hard way too. Not a lesson you ever need to learn twice.

[GeorgeK]

I have an easy solution. I have NEVER (as in not once in my life) drunk alcohol in my life. I am blessed that I hate the taste of it. The cops usually have enough to say to me, the first thing being "we've been aware you were coming for about 5 minutes now".
GeorgeK