Delaware DUI Security Checkpoints and Roadblocks

 

Although Delaware is the second smallest state in the USA, it has a very strict prevention and control strategy for driving under the influence. One of their most popular and effective strategies to control drunk driving and prevent accidents related to alcohol is DUI security checkpoints and roadblocks. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is making the most effort to keep the roads safe for drivers and free from DUI and in this regard, they are willing to go to all lengths.

 

DUI security checkpoints and roadblocks are legally upheld under the state law and the Federal constitution and the frequency of these checkpoints is different throughout the year. While these temporary law enforcement installations are set up monthly in the first half of the year from January to June, they are increased significantly during the second half from July to December. Delaware initiated a special campaign called Checkpoint Strikeforce almost ten years ago with the objective of having frequent and stricter DUI checkpoints and roadblocks all over the state of Delaware from July to December especially during the weekends.

 

What is Checkpoint Strikeforce?

 

The basic purpose of this campaign is just about the same as general DUI Checkpoints and roadblocks all over the country; putting an end to driving under the influence. The factor that makes Checkpoint Strikeforce special is that they set up checkpoints very often in the second half of the year and they are very harsh about drunk driving. Any driver who is found to be impaired, fails the sobriety test and has a Delaware BAC of over 0.08 will be facing a number of very harsh financial and legal consequences. In fact, Delaware does not have any kind of leniency for first time offenders. This also produces a very difficult situation for drivers who have been caught at a wrong time in a wrong place in the state of Delaware.

 

Often Checkpoint Strikeforce also initiated a public awareness campaign about their objectives and activities in order to make knowledge about the consequences of DUI common and reduce accidents related to alcohol. This year, the Office of Highway Safety Delaware in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies is initiating the tenth anniversary of Checkpoint Strikeforce and their main target is the holidays starting from the 4th of July.

 

The Checkpoint Strikeforce of 2010 arrested 528 drivers with the suspicion of DUI as a result of DUI checkpoints that were set up all over the state on a weekly basis. This year, Checkpoint Strikeforce plans to set up seventy-one sobriety checkpoints and thirty-six saturation patrols from the month of July to December. The Fourth of July holiday itself had increased enforcement including 3 sobriety checkpoints with 149 saturation patrols conducted all over the state. In addition to this, there will also be increased enforcement during peak holiday times of Halloween, Labor Day as well as the holiday month of December.

 

With such increased enforcement and incidence of DUI checkpoints, the issue of the legality of checkpoints based on the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution seems useless. In fact, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of DUI checkpoints years ago and has constitutionally legalized properly conducted DUI checkpoints. So while many drivers may consider DUI checkpoints an infringement on their privacy and basic rights, DUI checkpoints that are carried out under the supervision of trained police officers and based on the guidelines set by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety should be least intrusive for drivers.

 

What can you expect at a Delaware DUI checkpoint?

 

As with any other DUI security checkpoint or roadblock, you will probably be asked to stop and roll down your window. The police officer will ask you your name and will ask you to present some identification which you should. Next they will ask you questions about where you are going as well as about the drinks you have consumed. If they see signs of impairment, they will ask you to step out of the vehicle and either submit to chemical testing or field sobriety tests.

 

DUI attorneys in Delaware are well informed and experienced about special DUI roadblock cases. Contacting one of them in the event of an arrest at a DUI roadblock can save you a lot of headache as well as further harassment from the law enforcement agencies.