Sobriety stops often evoke a sense of discomfort even among people who have nothing to hide. Sometimes, there is no deeper meaning to wanting to avoid these stops.
But are they actually avoidable? Or do you have to simply bear going through them when they are on your route?
Avoiding stops safely
LifeSafer discusses sobriety checkpoints and how to legally handle them. The first and best bit of news is that you do not, in fact, have to go through a sobriety checkpoint. In some states, law enforcement actually needs to provide alternative routes for people who do not wish to go through the checkpoint.
However, even when this is not necessary, it is still perfectly legal and valid for you to make your own alternative route to avoid the checkpoint. The important part is in doing so legally.
Needless to say, police will keep a close eye out for people turning away from the stop due to the preconceived notion that someone will only turn away if they have something to “hide”. Thus, you want to make sure officers have no reason to pull you over. This can include even expired plate tickets or a busted tail light.
Never break the law
Of course, you never want to break the rules of the road, either. Thus, avoid illegal U-turns or turns in general, cutting off other vehicles, driving dangerously or recklessly, speeding, crossing solid lines or double lines, or any other behavior that would get you a ticket in any other situation. Not only will doing these things give an officer a reason to pull you over, but you could face other repercussions without the involvement of DUI-related issues at all.
