NCJ Number
174161
Journal
Journal of Studies on Alcohol Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 1997 Pages: 513-517
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to determine if there are characteristics of drivers, vehicles or checkpoints that are associated with decreased chances of detection at sobriety checkpoints.
Abstract
The study was designed to determine the extent to which police officers at sobriety checkpoints correctly identify individuals with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.05 percent, and if there are characteristics of drivers, vehicles or checkpoints that are associated with decreased chances of detection. Drivers not detained by police for additional sobriety evaluation were interviewed and voluntary breath samples were provided at 156 sobriety checkpoints in North Carolina. Those more likely to have been missed were women drivers, drivers aged 35 or younger, drivers without passengers, and drivers stopped at the checkpoints during weekend checks. Alerting officers to characteristics of drinking drivers more likely to be missed may improve detection rates. In addition, passive alcohol sensors could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of sobriety checkpoints. Tables, references