Holidays are a time for celebration, fellowship, and much needed family time for many. From grilling out, to visiting family, travel can be expected from all on such holiday weekends. However, DUI arrests should also be kept in mind. Typically during the summer holidays, DUI patrols, roadblocks, and arrests are ramped up to help secure the safety of all motor vehicle drivers and passengers everywhere.

When passing through a sobriety checkpoint, also known as a DUI roadblock, one can be expected to present proof of license, and insurance as well going through the routine question of “Have you consumed any alcohol this evening?” and if your answer is not to the officers satisfaction, prepare to be screen for impairment. Many citations occur from these roadblocks, or checkpoints, usually for driving without insurance, defective vehicle equipment, and expired driver licenses, which usually bring home the money to many law enforcement entities. Recently, a Supreme Court ruling has stated that all police agencies are to run all operations of stopping motorists by strict, professional guidelines. Checkpoint location decisions are usually made by supervisors, which include, but are not limited to, which car to stop, let proceed, and search. However, profiling of a vehicle by officers is strictly prohibited based on the vehicle’s appearance. The sites of roadblocks, or checkpoints, should be strictly selected on two very important variables: one, if the areas has a high, well-known past of DUI history in the area, and particular public policy needs or reasons. Signs and lights should clearly mark the complete area of the checkpoint, or site of investigation, to slow, and alert motorists approaching it. Also, priority must also be known to alert the public of the checkpoint. Usually an alert system is usually set on the internet, played on radios, or can occasionally be announced on television.

Although Independence Day, July the 4^th, is soon upon us, other holidays also pose a potential threat to drivers and pedestrians alike. In Florida, a DUI charge was placed upon a man on Father’s Day with the presence of a child in the same car as the intoxicated father, which reports state, had been stopping and swerving randomly on to the shoulder and accompanying lane or the highway. The toddler was said to have no injuries and be completely unharmed during the whole episode. Inevitably, whether it is day or night, weekday or weekend, or holiday or none, drinking and driving will always unfortunately be intertwined. Our state, and neighbors rely on us to make the responsible, mature decision to not let drinking and driving slide by.

Call our 24/7 Florida DUI helpline toll free at (800) 687-2252 to speak with a Florida DUI attorney in your area to discuss the facts of your DUI case and find an office location near you in order to schedule an in office meeting.  It is vital that you fully understand and weigh the legal options available to you in order to protect your legal rights at both your DUI administrative hearing and criminal proceeding.