Phoenix DUI Lawyer Blog

Thousands of Arizona DUI Arrests occur each year at Arizona DUI Sobriety Checkpoints,
(also known as AZ DUI Road blocks, and Roadside safety checks). Top Arizona DUI Defense Attorneys will tell you that the primary purpose for them is for law enforcement to catch drivers driving impaired under the influence of alcohol or drugs Arizona is one of 38 states who conduct these Sobriety Checkpoints as allowed by the Arizona Authority, Law, and Constitution. Each state is responsible for creating its own set of procedures.

However, 12 guidelines are offered by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA):

1) The public should be aggressively informed of sobriety checkpoints with ample warning so they can avoid them completely.

2) Police presence should be obvious when approaching a checkpoint.

3) Drivers should be sufficiently warned of an upcoming checkpoint.

4) The logistics of chemical testing must allow expeditious transport of suspects to a chemical testing site.

5) They must be part of an ongoing program to deter drunk driving.

6) They should have support of the judicial system, for example a District, County or State Prosecutors' Offices.

7) The selection of the checkpoints must be done in the interest of public safety and chosen for a specific objective (an unusual number of drunk driving accidents that area).

8) Any change in the original planning of a checkpoint must be well documented.

9) Detection and investigation techniques must be well-planned and standardized. These must be performed by qualified law enforcement. Investigation must take place without impeding the flow of traffic.

10) There must be established procedures for how to properly operate a checkpoint.

11) Feedback should be requested from citizens who are stopped to help determine if the program is effective.

12) Trained Police Officers must do all the DUI investigating.

The best way to avoid being stopped at an Arizona DUI checkpoint, is to find out in advance where the planned roadblocks will be. Some resources to obtain notice include your local newspaper, radio, TV and the internet. Many AZ DUI checkpoint announcements are posted on local state, county, city, and government websites. Posting on social networks such as Twitter.com has become increasingly popular.