THP: Upcoming Checkpoints in Robertson County
“Sobriety Safety Checkpoint” during the week of March 27, 2020
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a “Sobriety Safety Checkpoint” during the week of March 27, 2020, on Highway 41/Ridgetop City Limits in Robertson County.
“Impaired driving is a serious crime that kills more than 16,000 people and injures 305,000 others every year in the United States. Troopers will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle ensuring the protection of all motorists,” said Lieutenant Vincent Meaker with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
“The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that sobriety checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools in the battle against impaired driving.”
“Safety Belt Checkpoint” during the week of April 3, 2020
The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be conducting a “Safety Belt Checkpoint” during the week of April 3, 2020, on Highway 31W/New Hall Road in Robertson County.
“Recognizing the danger to unbelted vehicle occupants, Troopers will target those who operate a vehicle while unbelted and take corrective actions for other violations observed.
“The Tennessee Highway Patrol recognizes that safety belt checkpoints are highly visible and effective tools of enforcing the safety belt laws of Tennessee while ensuring the protection of vehicle occupants, “Lieutenant Meaker said.
Why does law enforcement 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, according to Wikipedia.
