Communities that set up sobriety checkpoints tend to see their rates of alcohol-related car accidents go down, according to a recent study summarized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers reviewed 23 studies of sobriety checkpoints from the U.S. as well as from other countries. They found that sobriety checkpoints helped reduce the number of car accidents in an area by about 20 percent.
A New Hampshire sobriety checkpoint is a traffic stop where police officers stop drivers to make sure they are not driving while under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) by alcohol or other drugs. Sobriety checkpoints are used both to find drivers who are actually impaired and to deter people from driving after consuming alcohol by increasing the risk they will be arrested.
In the U.S., police officers must have a reason to suspect that drivers have been drinking before administering a breath alcohol test. This means that officers will frequently examine a driver’s face, smell and body movements. Officers may require drivers to perform field sobriety tests to demonstrate that they are sober. Unfortunately, field sobriety tests are difficult to give correctly and even more difficult to perform correctly, even if you’re completely sober. The difficulties of field sobriety tests can result in an arrest for DUI or DWI, even if you’re not breaking any laws.
An aggressive defense against a drunk driving charge is the best way to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. The experienced New Hampshire DUI defense attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have the legal resources and courtroom experience needed to fight for your rights after a drunk driving charge. To discuss your case with one of our DUI defense lawyers, call Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today at (603) 614-5055 for a free and confidential consultation.