Tourists and Hawaii residents alike must ensure that they comply with local traffic rules. The statutes governing driving under the influence (DUI) offenses are among the most important laws protecting the public while in traffic. People shouldn’t drive when they notice chemical impairment, and there are also strict limits on motorists’ blood alcohol concentrations (BACs).
Police departments may check motorists for chemical impairment after crashes or during individual traffic stops. They may also conduct DUI checkpoints. Some people may refer to these mass enforcement efforts as sobriety roadblocks.
What do motorists need to know about DUI checkpoints?
Checkpoints can pop up unannounced
In some jurisdictions, the rules regulating sobriety roadblocks require the prior publication of information about the date and location of those checkpoints. Hawaii does not require specific advance notice to the public for the police to conduct a checkpoint.
However, there are certain times and locations where checkpoints are more likely to occur. Around the holidays, for example, there is usually a noticeable increase in drunk driving incidents, and therefore, DUI checkpoints are more common as well.
Checkpoints are more common on days that have a strong correlation with more drunk driving crashes. Major events, including concerts and college or professional sports events, may also inspire local law enforcement agencies to set up checkpoints nearby.
What happens at a DUI checkpoint?
The purpose of a sobriety roadblock is to allow for the cursory screening of as many drivers as possible. Generally speaking, police officers conducting checkpoints only have a few moments with each driver. Those who appear sober get to pass through the checkpoint. Those who show signs of intoxication may need to pull aside for additional screening.
Drivers who encounter checkpoints potentially have the option of changing their planned route to avoid the checkpoint. They can also decline to answer invasive questions at the checkpoint. They must provide identification, but they do not have to respond to inquiries about their prior conduct. They also generally have the right to decline requests for field sobriety testing.
If a DUI checkpoint leads to a motorist’s arrest, they may still be able to defend against their pending charges. Sitting down to discuss the circumstances surrounding a DUI charge – with a skilled legal team – that began at a drunk driving checkpoint can help motorists respond effectively. The right defense strategy can potentially lead to a plea deal to a lesser charge or a driver avoiding a conviction entirely.