A DUI checkpoint is just a location where the police are stopping every driver who comes through the checkpoint. Many drivers just present their identification and go on their way. But some will be stopped for further investigation if the police believe that they are impaired.
This is a controversial process because some people do not believe that the police should be allowed to stop vehicles without reasonable suspicion. The Supreme Court has ruled that this is legal because it’s a public safety issue, but it still means that there are people who don’t want to go through a DUI checkpoint – even if they’re not impaired. If you find yourself in this position, approaching one of these checkpoints, can you just turn and avoid it?
Don’t break any traffic laws
It is usually not illegal to avoid a checkpoint. If you know where it is already, you don’t have to drive that way. If you see it ahead of you, you may be able to turn around or turn down a side street.
The key is just to make sure you don’t break any traffic laws while doing so. For instance, people have been pulled over because they pulled an illegal U-turn in front of a DUI checkpoint. An illegal driving maneuver, even if it’s not an indicator of impairment, is still reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop.
So if you do try to avoid a DUI checkpoint, just be sure that you do it legally. If you do end up getting arrested, then it’s time to look into all of your legal defense options.