Field Sobriety Checkpoints
The Pembroke Police Department has teamed up with the Allenstown Police Department, Concord Police Department Epsom Police Department, Chichester Police Department, Pittsfield and the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office to battle drunk driving in our communities. These agencies have pooled their resources to conduct Field Sobriety Checkpoints. The program is funded through a grant provided by the NH Highway Safety Agency. This the first time that multi-agency checkpoints have been funded by the Highway Safety Agency. It has been highly successful and is now used as a model for other agencies in the state.
The "Sobriety Checkpoint" is the most effective method of detecting and apprehending the impaired operator. The program, approved by the NH Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provides federal highway safety funds to support these checkpoints.
The purpose of the Sobriety Checkpoint is to detect and apprehend the impaired driver New Hampshire has some of the most aggressive laws in the country to fight the intoxicated driver and the law enforcement community will use those tools to their full extent.
Here are some of the most common questions we have received about the checkpoints:
"Why does it take so long when I get stopped?"
Each stop usually takes about 3-4 minutes. In that time the officer will explain why you are being stopped, run your driver’s license to make sure you are valid to operate, and present you with a motorist survey allowing you to comment on the sobriety checkpoint. While the officer is talking to you they are looking for clues of impairment. Although alcohol impairment maybe fairly obvious, those that operate under the influence of illegal drugs often don’t show the same obvious signs of impairment.
"You shouldn’t be able to stop me without probable cause?"
Sobriety checkpoints are only conducted after a motion, an affidavit, and a specific operational plan for the check point has been filed with the Superior Court. The court is challenged with balancing the rights of the individual motorist with the greater duty of providing public safety for all of society. If the court feels that balance is met, an order is granted allowing the checkpoint.
"I drive a sports car and get stopped every time there is a checkpoint. Why?"
The operational plan requires that officers stop vehicles in a specific pattern. Typically our checkpoints involve 5 stopping stations. Each on is manned by one officer. That officermust stop the next approaching vehicle in their travel lane if their stop station is vacant. Little discretion is allowed. A senior Officer, usually a Sergeant or Lieutenant, is assigned as an Officer in Charge at each checkpoint. Their only duty is to assure the operation plan is followed.
"I’m a nervous person and not very coordinated. I’m afraid I’ll fail the sobriety test and get arrested even if I’m not drunk."
It’s not uncommon to be a little nervous when stopped by the police. Nervousness or a lack of coordination is taken into account when administering a sobriety test. You can make some mistakes without them been held against you. A sobriety test is merely a screening process to try and determine if a vehicle operator is impaired and may warrant further testing, most commonly, a breathalyzer test. A determination of impairment is made by considering the totality of all of the officer’s observations.
"Why do you post signs and warn the people in the newspapers that there is going to be a checkpoint?"
The court requires all checkpoints to be publicized. This allows members of the public to avoid being inconvenience if they wish. The publicity also provides a significant deterrent effect that encourages motorist not to drive drunk if they know a sobriety checkpoint is occurring in the area.