Replies

So it took 43 replies for the "If we could save just one life, giving up our rights will be worth it" argument.

I guess I can take solace in the fact that the previous 42 replies were more or less condemning roadblocks and supporting our constitutional rights.

I have police officers in my family and have discussed roadblocks and traffic stops with them in the past. By and large they detest the practice of roadblocks and speed traps and do not feel they contribute to the safety of the public at all. However, they are directed to carry them out through orders of their superiors - who get their orders from the politicians who are looking after themselves.

They state that they can identify and stop drunk drivers just by being out on patrol as there are dead giveaways to drunk drivers that all of us have seen. People who can't keep in their own lane, drive at night with the headlights off, drive too slow, etc.

Once you throw up roadblocks, the not so good cops get a power trip out of it and anybody who gives them any lip, asserts their constitutional rights (as the young man in this video tried to do), or otherwise comes across as a "smart ass" is immediately subject to harassment and intimidation.

So in the end, roadblocks are not about catching drunk drivers at all but about beating the citizens into submission and forcing them to forfeit their constitutional rights in the name of "safety."

Those who are willing to give up their rights in exchange for safety deserve neither.

No, not “if it would save just one life”.

Because it has saved many, many more. And sitting at a computer playing arm chair quarterback does not change facts.

I’ve heard people say “Damn I can’t drive home right now there might be a checkpoint and I’ve been drinking.” They don’t stumble around the bar saying I can’t leave because I’m hammered and might kill someone, no, they’re more afraid of the checkpoint because they’re drunk. Good. I don’t want them on the streets. “But I’m not like everyone else I drive fine when I’m drunk.” You hear that one a lot, to. Or “I’m not drunk, but the cops will harass me if I leave.” after you’ve seen them down 5 shots of Wild Turkey and two Pitchers of beer.

It is not easy to spot a drunk driver and pull them over as you say, that's a movie stereotype. Many may seem to be driving normally but their reflexes are impaired and if they do “veer” that may be the exact moment they kill someone. So, no, it's not easier for police to be just driving around looking for drunks. On your typical weekend your impaired drivers far outweigh the officers available to just “drive around”.

Many officers hate checkpoints because they're boring. It's cold, hot, there are to many mosquito's, but they do it because it works.