Drunk driving check points are getting out of control (live in, legal)

[JBrown]

Sorry but I have to disagree with most of you on this.

These road block checks were given the green light unfortunatly by Reagan at the pushing of MADD who btw has been shown to completly over inflate the statisics. Be that as it may, the problem is that the practice set in motion the principal for the first time of guilty untill proven innocent.

That is something we in this county used to mock other less democratic countries for and it's far from being a good thing.

[EEEPNJ]

Are you nuts? Who is guilty. Because you have to wait for a moment for an officer to see if you are high behind the wheel? Gee, cruel and unusual punishment at it's WORST. So what, you are inconvenienced a few moments and if they catch some moron driving drunk (and trust me, I know WAY too many folks who think NOTHING of driving drunk even today) a life or lives can be saved. Terrible concept. Too bad that Commie Reagan put it in place.

[JBrown]

Calm down and try to think this thru. This is EXACTLY what can happen and does

You get stopped at a road check. You haven't been drinking at all but the police officer thiniks you're acting odd' He requests that you submit to a brreathalizer test. You politely refuse.

Guess what ...In the courts and your insurance company you are guilty of drunk drivng.

Guilty untill proven innocent and the burden of that proof lies totally upon you...That's NOT the principals that this country was founded on

[njkate]

Originally Posted by JBrown

Calm down and try to think this thru. This is EXACTLY what can happen and does

You get stopped at a road check. You haven't been drinking at all but the police officer thiniks you're acting odd' He requests that you submit to a brreathalizer test. You politely refuse.

Guess what ...In the courts and your insurance company you are guilty of drunk drivng.

Guilty untill proven innocent and the burden of that proof lies totally upon you...That's NOT the principals that this country was founded on

If you have nothing to hide why would you refuse?? The officers also give road side testing before they determine you may be a candidate for the breathalyzer....bottom line is if you didn't have so many people getting behind the wheel after they spent a few hours at the bar we wouldn't need this

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by njkate

http://www.drowsydriving.org/atf/cf/{120badf0-669e-46d0-b46b-768d410b040e}/STATE_OF_THE_STATES_REPORT_2007.HTM

can't get the above to hyperlink so C&P into your browser


NJ is up to speed on this:
After working for 2 years with her state assemblyman and senator, the New Jersey State Senate passed legislation known as "Maggie's Law," on June 23, 2003. The law established fatigued driving as recklessness under the existing vehicular homicide statute. This legislation overwhelmingly passed both chambers of the state legislature and became the first law in the nation to specifically address the issue of drowsy driving.

Asleep at the Wheel | October 2007 | Sleep Review

How do you formulate a similar law enforcement policy to prevent this from occurring? These accidents occur way more frequently than alcohol-related car deaths.

[GiantRutgersfan]

Originally Posted by NewHomeHappy

damn those Police doing their jobs !!! They made me late. They made me wait.

Tell that to the Mother who buried her Son that was killed by a drunk driver on a Tuesday in early November.

I'm sure you'll get some empathy from her. Or better yet, attend the funeral. Or even better, attend a MADD meeting.

Its not their job to set up DUI checkpoints.

**** happens. just cause a few tragedy's happened doesnt give anyone the right to do this to other people who are doing nothing wrong.

There are drug dealers out there who sell heroin to people. Would you be ok with the police searching everyone's house so they can find drugs? After all, you got nothing to hide if your not doing anything wrong. And it will only take a few hours. you gonna cry about being late for work or an appointment?

[JBrown]

Originally Posted by njkate

If you have nothing to hide why would you refuse??

Yup...and that's also a great reason to do away with all requirements for search warants, search and seizure laws ,oh, and how about this. Why don't we let the police randomly pat down and demand proof of ID ,opewn your purse/bags etcwhen your just walking around etc HUH ???.
BTW as a side note ...in NYC they are now allowed to do exactly that...thanks to the legal precedent set by the road side check nonsense

do you see where that sort of logic leads to ??
After all....If you have nothing to hide why would you refuse??

Not a well thought thru position IMHO



sarcasm/

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by JBrown

Yup...and that's also a great reason to do away with all requirements for search warants, search and seizure laws ,oh, and how about this. Why don't we let the police randomly pat down and demand proof of ID when your just walking around etc HUH ???. do you see where that sort of logic
leads to ??
After all....If you have nothing to hide why would you refuse??

Not a well thought thru position IMHO



sarcasm/

I think many of us would be well served to read up on Mapp vs Ohio in 1962.

[desertsun41]

First off let me say on Jan 5th 1991, I was killed by a drunk. Yes I was gone but while the useless donut connoisseurs were arguing who was going to write the report, the Stanhope EMTs brought me back. That sharp curve on I think it is Brooklyn Stanhope Rd where the railroad tracks are below was the place. There is a 2 sided sign there that says "welcome to Hopatcong" on one side and "welcome to Stanhope" on the other. An 18 YO girl T-boned me at 8:30 in the morning and pushed me almost through that guardrail. So if I went over that rail I would have tumbled 50' below to the tracks.

Turns out I recovered very quickly with little damage. I learned a lot about the drunk girl and the accident from a Stanhope Fireman I knew who was at the scene. He said the 2 coppers, one from Stanhope and one from Hopatcong were arguing who was going to take the report because it seems my truck slid into the sign that said "welcome to Hopatcong" and "welcome to Stanhope". My truck came to rest half in each town. Neither of them tried to help me. Maybe they thought I was no hope? I dont know but thats not for them to determine.

Anyway enough of those details. After that I became an Advocate for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). A few years later the founder, Candy Lightner was caught stealing money from the very organization she founded and was convicted. I lost touch and interest with any involvement since then.

As far as those checkpoints, they are unconstitutional. They are wrong. They belong in communist Soviet Union. So where is the balance between once again the govt infringing on our rights and the wish of govt to protect the citizens from drunks? I dont want any govt in my life but not everyone agrees. Most people are followers and not leaders. They want the govt to take care of them and tell them everything to do and not to do.

But how do we stop drunk drivers? I dont know. But checkpoints are for Hitler and Stalin, not the USA.

As far as driving being a right and not a privlege? That is hogwash too. That is govt speaking. Didn't Veterans day just pass? What did I hear about freedoms? YOU and I built these roads and highways with OUR dollars. So how is it a right to use those roads? More govt brainwashing so they could put teeth into their stupid law enforcement tactics and have more control over us peons.

Sorry for the long post. I just wanted you to know my side. From some one who was a victim of a drunk but against the govt from taking my life from me rather then God. I have the right to drive to my destination without govt interference. And I too fought for that right. Just another right taken away from our dwindling freedoms.

DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sj08054]

Drunk Driving checkpoint are controversial so they are not even legal in some states. BUT you live in NJ and you obtained your driver licencse in NJ and you agreed to the implied consent on accepting the breathlyzer test.