THP to Conduct Highway 25 Sobriety Checkpoint In Sumner County
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has announced plans to conduct a sobriety checkpoint on State Highway 25 near Barry Lane in Sumner County during the week of March 7, 2025, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. MAP
According to THP, impaired driving remains a serious issue, contributing to more than 16,000 fatalities and 305,000 injuries annually across the United States. Troopers will be stationed at the checkpoint to evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment in an effort to ensure roadway safety.
THP emphasizes that sobriety checkpoints are a visible and effective tool in combating impaired driving, aiming to deter motorists from getting behind the wheel under the influence.
Motorists traveling through the area during the scheduled checkpoint should be prepared for potential delays as troopers conduct their assessments.
Why do police advertise checkpoints ahead of time?
Because of the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures, however, sobriety checkpoints are not prohibited by the Fourth Amendment (if) police advertise them in advance. There are even Apps that display police checkpoints on a map by using GPS and self-reporting by other users, similar to what Google Maps does with its traffic congestion feature. In fact, if a police checkpoint causes any kind of back up it will likely appear as congestion on Google Maps automatically.
Standard protocol at a police checkpoint is to collect the person’s name and ID which is run for wants and warrants. If you don’t have a valid license you will likely be cited.
If stopped at a sobriety check, police may also determine that there is “probable cause” to search a vehicle. That could lead to finding illegal drugs or weapons.
