How to Avoid DUI Checkpoints
If you’ve been a licensed driver for a long period of time, you’ve probably encountered a DUI checkpoint at some point. These police-manned stations are set up to scare and potentially identify and arrest drunk drivers.
DUI checkpoints are also a way to annoy sober drivers. If you don’t want to waste your time waiting at a DUI checkpoint, here are some tips on how to avoid to them:
Look Up DUI Checkpoints Online
The Supreme Court has ruled that law enforcement must announce the location of DUI checkpoints ahead of time. Law enforcement agencies often announce checkpoints through press releases or by posting them on their websites. This information is picked up by many other online sites that list all of the checkpoints on a given day.
If you want to avoid DUI checkpoints, one of the easiest ways to do so is by checking out sites that list checkpoints, including the Wallin & Klarich Facebook page. Like the page and check every Friday evening to be updated on weekend checkpoints.
Sign Up for Text Alerts
If you prefer to receive texts about when DUI checkpoints go up, you can do so via sites such as www.duiblock.com and www.mrcheckpoint.com. These services will send you an SMS message with a list of checkpoints.
Use the Waze App
Waze is a popular smartphone navigation app. Unlike GPS apps like Google Maps, Waze allows its users to report updates as they are encountered. App users can mark when they see accidents, traffic delays, construction and police. While the police indicator generally applies to speed traps, it can also be used to mark DUI checkpoints.
The downside of Waze is that anybody can make a report through the app, even police. Law enforcement can attempt to remove police indicators on the app, so it may not be best to rely on Waze for accurate DUI checkpoint information.
Turn Around Before a Checkpoint
One of the easiest ways to find out where checkpoints are located is by seeing them. If you are driving and you realize that you are approaching a DUI checkpoint, it is perfectly legal to turn around.
However, it is very important that you do not violate any traffic laws while doing so. Police will be watching for people who attempt to avoid checkpoints, so making any illegal maneuvers or erratic driving, including illegal U-turns, could be probable cause for a police officer to pull you over.
Hail an Uber
The best way to avoid a DUI checkpoint is by hailing an Uber. Drivers typically know where DUI checkpoints and other traffic delays are located, so they will avoid them. Best of all: you can drink all you want and won’t have to worry about being arrested for DUI because you aren’t driving!
Contact the DUI Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
If you are stopped and arrested at a DUI checkpoint, you should exercise your right to remain silent and contact a skilled DUI defense attorney immediately. At Wallin & Klarich, our DUI attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully defending our clients charged with DUI in California. Let us help you now.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Los Angeles, West Covina, Torrance and San Diego, you can find an experienced Wallin & Klarich DUI attorney available to help you no matter where you are located.
Call us now at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
