Why do so many dolphins get caught in the tuna net at DUI checkpoints? There is profit to be made in DUI arrests and convictions. The goal of many agencies and advocacy groups in the State of California is to reduce drinking and driving. Although no one is in favor of drinking and driving, these groups want to encourage the arrest and prosecution of profitable DUI cases. They have an elaborate grant system in which police agencies and counties profit from the successful arrest and prosecution of people driving under the influence.
Of course, an increased number of DUI arrests can be correlated with a reduction in the number of accidents associated with people driving under the influence, but these grants and funding sources encourage an aggressive search for people who drink and drive. These funds are often used to fund the “DUI checkpoints” that are seen on the roads particularly during holiday weekends.
A DUI checkpoint generally allows the officers manning the checkpoint to receive overtime from these grants. Officers will sign up for checkpoint duty to increase their monthly paychecks, and the extra money from the grants will not cost the agency or county any additional funds (win-win for them). For this reason, you will often see officers from many different agencies working together (grants do make a more harmonious law enforcement community).
If it is a holiday weekend, it is particularly important for you to avoid drinking and driving. Trying to avoid a DUI checkpoint as you are approaching it generally will not work. If you try to turn around or turn off the road, this will generally give the checkpoint officers a reason to try to stop you for another traffic violation (illegal turn, etc.).
The many grants mentioned above enable Prosecutor’s offices to hire an extra prosecutor to handle DUI cases only. The job of this extra DUI “specialist” depends upon how successful he or she is in convicting people of driving under the influence. The successful DUI prosecutor will attain a high number of DUI convictions, thus justifying an extension of the grant (and of his or her job).
The bottom line is, there is profit to be made in DUI arrests and prosecutions. Please don’t add to it by drinking and driving.
