Why tell people where its at? What's the point in doing that, I mean really now. All they (the drivers) have to do is plan routes around the area to avoid it. Common sense people! Lets think about it!!!

dan: that's always the first comment someone makes when patch posts these. the logic, according to wikipedia, for why it's mandatory to release info on where/when there will be checkpoints is that the knowledge will deter many people from going out (or driving impaired). also, for those that are driving impaired, chances are they're not thinking about checking news sites for checkpoint locations before they leave the bar.

The actual logic in this case is the fact that police checkpoints are a legal gray area. (Your 4th amendment rights specifically) Police can not randomly stop drivers or pedestrians without a reasonable suspicion for doing so. A DUI checkpoint stops every car passing through it. This is an unreasonable seizure. Just because a citizen is driving in the evening, shouldn't be any suspicion they are breaking the law.

Thus, announcing a checkpoint ahead of time makes it less of a 4th amendment violation. (and as Joe has said, deters people from drinking if they're going to drive)

On June 14th, 1990, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Court found properly conducted sobriety checkpoints constitutional (Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Stiz (1990)). Noting checkpoints infringe on a constitutional right, Chief Justice Rehnquist also argued the state’s interest in reducing drunk driving outweighs this infringement. However, properly conducted checkpoints must have specific guidelines to avoid intrusiveness. Checkpoints cannot simply be set up haphazardly. The Supreme Court left it for states to determine safeguards. In Nov. 1990, the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. issued a report reviewing recommended checkpoint procedures entitled “The Use of Sobriety Checkpoints for Impaired Driving Enforcement”, DOT HS-807-656. 10 states found "traffic safety checkpoints" violate their State Constitution relating to 4th Amendment intrusiveness and unreasonable search & seizure. They don’t use them. 2 states skirt constitutional issues by allowing checkpoints, but they don’t use them. Traffic enforcement saturation patrols are used. One of some state's guidelines for conducting checkpoints is advance publicity. It fulfills two functions-- deterrence, and makes any evidence collected during the traffic stop a reasonable search and seizure by 4th Amendment standards. In other words, evidence gathered while lawfully detained and pursuant to arrest will not be suppressed in court. An easy legalese free solution-- “Don’t drink and drive.”

damn, who really cares - The main thing is that the roads might be a tad safer for a few days.