Many law enforcement agencies, including those in California and Los Angeles, have found that their sobriety checkpoint operations to crack down on drunk drivers, are not being as effective because many motorists are aware of the existence of such checkpoints. That's because many motorists now make use of social media networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to inform other motorists about these checkpoints. Many motorists simply avoid those areas.
However, some cities are fighting back, and are now making use of a range of strategies to retain the effectiveness of DUI checkpoints. Some cities have been focusing on smaller operations conducted on less busy roads to pull over people driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers may conduct an impromptu sobriety checkpoint on a less traveled road in order to catch motorists unawares.
These tactics are turning out to be especially effective, because they are also being conducted during times that motorists usually don't expect to see sobriety checkpoints. Some checkpoints are now being conducted during weeknights, when motorists are not expecting a sobriety checkpoint.
Additionally, operations are being shifted between checkpoints very quickly in order to reduce the risk that word will spread out about the DUI checkpoint. It doesn't take long for a checkpoint to be set up, and in most cases, these checkpoints can be set up in just a matter of minutes. Once officers have finished checking a number of vehicles, they pack up and move on to another point.
These tactics are making it more difficult for motorists to alert other motorists about the existence of sobriety checkpoints, increasing the risk of DUI arrests.
