Drunk-Driving Roadblocks

Aren’t these ever-frequent roadblocks (DUI checkpoints) an infringement on our freedom to travel freely within the United States?

I was stopped about 8 p.m. on 24 Nov. 1992 on Palos Verdes Drive South, east of Hawthorne Boulevard. Last Friday, roadblocks were set up on Palos Verdes Drive North in Lomita. (This was announced in the newspaper).

Injuries and deaths caused by drunken drivers are a terrible tragedy, as are innocent people killed during police chases. However, these ubiquitous roadblocks are not only illegal and unconstitutional, but they are not cost-effective in finding drunken drivers. Hundreds of cars are stopped to find a single questionable driver. The MADD people may like roadblocks, but the freedom guaranteed by our Constitution should come first.

A driver who is drunk drives erratically: weaves, frequently hits the brakes, is speeding or drives too slowly for traffic conditions. These drivers are very easily detected if officers are on patrol on the highways.

Let’s get rid of all the excessive, unconstitutional roadblocks and put the officers back on the road so that they can legally apprehend drunken drivers.

ALAN J. CARLAN

Rancho Palos Verdes