PSA - DUI check point

[was thatguy]

Did you see me advocating for distracted driving checkpoints?

Nope. I realize that I take my chances every time I get on a bike.

You seem to defend impaired operation most of the time?

I even remember back in that thread that the guy crashed into a house at LOTO. You stated something to the effect that you really don’t care if folks drive drunk, as long as their safe?

I’ll look for the thread

I remember that and reread it as well.

How about it RDP police officers?
In your experiences scraping flesh and brains off of the road and fishing decapitated bodies out of the water, can drunk driving ever be safe?

Which drivers provide the biggest laughs?
Sober assholes like me arguing my rights, or a drunk bastard telling you he’s not drunk?

 

[H20 Toie]

Not a fan of the drunk driving, but where is the same level of outrage for the "technology impaired" driver that kills a bunch of people while texting, watching TikTok, etc.?

Hey now
Don’t bring up logic

 

[Backlash]

I don't have any current stats to share, but I'll share this. A few years back, a stat was being mentioned that "A person drives while intoxicated/under the influence over 80 times before they are detained and/or apprehended by law enforcement."

Let that sink in. 80 times. A driver drives intoxicated over 80 times before they encounter a law enforcement official. Now, factor in how many folks live in L.A. county, and how many people are on the roads at one time during the evening hours. The figure is astonishing.

Majority of the traffic collisions I've responded to in the last 20 years (During evening hours), have involved some form of intoxication, whether alcohol or narcotics or both. Many times the intoxicated driver is not severely injured. It's typically the sober motorist and their passengers who take the brunt of the blow during these incidents. It's unfortunate, but those are my observations.

I'm not going to get into it any further than that. You do you, and take your chances. If you insist on drinking and driving, and attempt to come up with a reason "Why that's OK," then you have a problem and you may need help.

Carry on.

 

[Gelcoater]

It has already been ruled these checkpoints are legal.

But it doesn’t make the law “right”.
Similar to a thread I read this week about a parent and the 12 year old at the doctors office.
It’s a law your kid needs to sign a paper for their parent or guardian to be I. The room or look online about what an appointment is for.
That shit isn’t right, but it’s law.

 

[was thatguy]

I don't have any current stats to share, but I'll share this. A few years back, a stat was being mentioned that "A person drives while intoxicated/under the influence over 80 times before they are detained and/or apprehended by law enforcement."

Let that sink in. 80 times. A driver drives intoxicated over 80 times before they encounter a law enforcement official. Now, factor in how many folks live in L.A. county, and how many people are on the roads at one time during the evening hours. The figure is astonishing.

Majority of the traffic collisions I've responded to in the last 20 years (During evening hours), have involved some form of intoxication, whether alcohol or narcotics or both. Many times the intoxicated driver is not severely injured. It's typically the sober motorist and their passengers who take the brunt of the blow during these incidents. It's unfortunate, but those are my observations.

I'm not going to get into it any further than that. You do you, and take your chances. If you insist on drinking and driving, and attempt to come up with a reason "Why that's OK," then you have a problem and you may need help.

Carry on.

For the record, I’m with you guys on this one.
(I’m still gonna be a jackass when pulled over though!!)

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

But it doesn’t make the law “right”.
Similar to a thread I read this week about a parent and the 12 year old at the doctors office.
It’s a law your kid needs to sign a paper for their parent or guardian to be I. The room or look online about what an appointment is for.
That shit isn’t right, but it’s law.

Who decides if a law is “right”? Based on the constitution, that is SCOTUS, and the state supreme courts.

If you don’t think it is “right” write your government officials and lobby them to codify what you deem “right”.

 

[Gelcoater]

I think I know where you're going with this. There is no 2A protecting driving cars.

It’s not about driving a car.

The 4th is supposed to protect against reasonable search of person, House, papers and effects.

Stopping every single person coming down a road, in my mind anyway, is the opposite of that.

Is pretty coincidental I clicked and saved a meme today which touches on this.

There are already laws on the books about drinking and driving, and about killing people with anything, including guns.
Yet people break these laws.
More laws won’t fix it.
Trampling on the rights of everyone won’t help it.

 

[hallett21]

Prayers going out to fellow boaters in loto

Having been passenger in high speed boat accident I can assure you that the drivers problems are just beginning. The accident that I was involved in the driver was sober and no charges were filed. If the driver was in fact intoxicated he has to deal with the legal system and that’s just the...

www.riverdavesplace.com

Posts #185 & #202. You state "you don't care".

That is where our disagreement is. I care, VERY much that our roadways (and waterways) are as safe as is possible. Keeping drunks off the roads and water seem a good place to start.

Let me ask you this. If a Boat Cop watches a guy pull into a bar at LOTO, observes him drinking for a couple hours, then jumps back in his boat, is that probable cause? should he just shrug his shoulders and let him drive off?

I think that’s a legitimate observation and reason to pull someone over. The issue is that our rights say that’s not enough. Guy “could” be drinking soda water and tonic. Now you falling down the dock on the way to the boat? Sure light em up. But in the name of safety if the officer witnessed drinking/impairment/etc he shouldn’t even let the boat leave the dock with that person operating.

Otherwise what’s to stop an officer from pulling you over for just pulling out of Topock, Pirates etc? Meaning it’s just another excuse to pull you over based upon where you are.

In my mind it’s similar to the “safety inspections”. There’s nothing about safety going on there. If it was about safety you wouldn’t let people enter the water without checking them at the ramp.

Case in point my wife and I took my brother and his 7-8 college buddies out on Memorial Day weekend 7ish years ago. I was sober, but one dumbass sat on top of the back seat while idling through pirates.

I got lit up at about the docks. I parked the boat stern in . Had everyone tie it off. Police officer was super cool and asked do you know why I pulled you over? I told him I was made aware of someone sitting on the hatch. He says can we do the safety inspection? I say sure and count off 12 life vests, fire extinguisher, throwable (with a rope ) etc etc.

Once I made it through that it was raise your sunglasses & have you been drinking today?

I say no. The officer asks if I had been drinking last night (I had) I say no. He then goes “so what are you straight edge or something”. I say that I’m just trying to keep everyone safe. He says be safe and have a nice day.

But he was clearly fishing and had I answered wrong I’d be on that whaler hoping on one foot.

 

[Gelcoater]

Leaving a restaurant or bar is probable cause? Jeezus..

That is way out there.

RD

os becoming exhausting.
I think I’ll grab a beer

 

[PlanB]

Anyone remember the checkpoint in the gorge just past the mouth about 2010 or so? They setup a dock and had a houseboat for processing. I said to my buddy who was also a cop at the time that it was illegal since there was no public announcement. They stopped every single boat headed south towards the lake that day. The paper later reported that all arrest were thrown out due to the checkpoint being deemed illegal. I have not seen another one since.

 

[hallett21]

Anyone remember the checkpoint in the gorge just past the mouth about 2010 or so? They setup a dock and had a houseboat for processing. I said to my buddy who was also a cop at the time that it was illegal since there was no public announcement. They stopped every single boat headed south towards the lake that day. The paper later reported that all arrest were thrown out due to the checkpoint being deemed illegal. I have not seen another one since.

What I’ve always found odd is that they’ve always asked us to open our cooler.

The assessment should be based upon me the driver, not what’s in the boat.

And I think this is where the distrust starts.
I’m sure that’s deemed as just a laissez-faire question in court. But it sure sounds like a demand when I’m in the check point lol.

 

[PlanB]

What I’ve always found odd is that they’ve always asked us to open our cooler.

The assessment should be based upon me the driver, not what’s in the boat.

And I think this is where the distrust starts.
I’m sure that’s deemed as just a laissez-faire question in court. But it sure sounds like a demand when I’m in the check point lol.

I honestly don't like LE being able to stop a boat without reasonable suspicion. I was stopped one night in Thompson Bay by AZGFD. We were one of the only boats on the water that night, and they were floating in the bay blacked out. They wanted to do a safety check but they were most likely fishing for a DUI. I had nothing to drink and my two dogs were freaking out because of the lights being shined in our boat. I am sure they could tell I was getting upset with their fishing expedition, and I told them not to board my boat because my dogs were agitated. They let me go after showing them all my safety equipment, but that stop always left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

It’s not about driving a car.

The 4th is supposed to protect against reasonable search of person, House, papers and effects.

Stopping every single person coming down a road, in my mind anyway, is the opposite of that.

Is pretty coincidental I clicked and saved a meme today which touches on this.
View attachment 1298034


There are already laws on the books about drinking and driving, and about killing people with anything, including guns.
Yet people break these laws.
More laws won’t fix it.
Trampling on the rights of everyone won’t help it.

Move to a state that does not allow them.

The same people that say the. checkpoints are illegal are perfectly OK shaking down shaking down potential illegal immigrants for their papers.

 

[was thatguy]

What I’ve always found odd is that they’ve always asked us to open our cooler.

The assessment should be based upon me the driver, not what’s in the boat.

And I think this is where the distrust starts.
I’m sure that’s deemed as just a laissez-faire question in court. But it sure sounds like a demand when I’m in the check point lol.

Also for the record, my distrust starts the instant I see them.

 

[FlyByWire]

I'm not going to get into it any further than that. You do you, and take your chances. If you insist on drinking and driving, and attempt to come up with a reason "Why that's OK," then you have a problem and you may need help.

This.

 

[Backlash]

Also for the record, my distrust starts the instant I see them.

Yeah, fuck that guy @t&y

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

View attachment 1298009

Hahaha
Troublemaker

 

[hallett21]

Btw @Backlash @t&y @FlyByWire and all other LEOs. Nothing but respect for you guys

 

[Gelcoater]

Btw @Backlash @t&y @FlyByWire and all other LEOs. Nothing but respect for you guys

I sure don’t blame em for leaving this one alone

 

[Gelcoater]

Move to a state that does not allow them.

The same people that say the. checkpoints are illegal are perfectly OK shaking down shaking down potential illegal immigrants for their papers.

Is it not illegal to cross a border without papers?

And o didn’t say check points are illegal?
I said it is wrong.

 

[Mr. C]

Is it not illegal to cross a border without papers?

Not in Cali. Here’s your phone, insurance, welfare and housing.

Edit. I think you can even run for office and apply to become a LEO now.

 

[was thatguy]

Yeah, fuck that guy @t&y

Hey, one thing is for certain, I’ll never lie to you!!
Got no reason to.
Although I’d likely never see either of you like that since I dont go to CA.

 

[was thatguy]

Btw @Backlash @t&y @FlyByWire and all other LEOs. Nothing but respect for you guys

Suck ass!!!’
(J/K)

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Also for the record, my distrust starts the instant I see them.

Are you "tracking them?"

 

[BingerFang]

Does anyone know where the checkpoints are tonight?

Asking for a friend….

 

[Gelcoater]

Does anyone know where the checkpoints are tonight?

Asking for a friend….

The cross streets are Tyranny Blvd and Oppression lane

 

[was thatguy]

Are you "tracking them?"

Oh fuck.

 

[was thatguy]

Does anyone know where the checkpoints are tonight?

Asking for a friend….

I’m in for the night.
Knock yourselves out.

 

[t&y]

Yeah, fuck that guy @t&y

Lol... Just had to tag me into this BS... thanks.

Drunk driving, bad idea. Really anything else need to be discussed?

 

[RIVERBORN]

Wow. That was a lot to read….lol. Almost turned into a helmet thread

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Is it not illegal to cross a border without papers?

And o didn’t say check points are illegal?
I said it is wrong.

The word wrong isn't even in the post?

BTW, it is illegal to drive drunk too .

The point still stands. The people crying about freedom and DUI checkpoints are the same ones that want people checked for immigration papers.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I honestly don't like LE being able to stop a boat without reasonable suspicion. I was stopped one night in Thompson Bay by AZGFD. We were one of the only boats on the water that night, and they were floating in the bay blacked out. They wanted to do a safety check but they were most likely fishing for a DUI. I had nothing to drink and my two dogs were freaking out because of the lights being shined in our boat. I am sure they could tell I was getting upset with their fishing expedition, and I told them not to board my boat because my dogs were agitated. They let me go after showing them all my safety equipment, but that stop always left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’ve said this before in other threads, but I was pulled over by some LEO in Copper Canyon for idling in and out of the bay to show a group of my fathers friends (all with white hair) what Copper was all about. No one had been drinking at all.

Guy waves me over and then tells me to get on his boat and gives me their test. I was like WTF how did I do anything even remotely related to suspicious behavior? I always figured they wanted to set an example in front of anyone but chose a boat that clearly wasn’t going to result in having to come off station to transport back to LHC.

The second time I got pulled over I was towing a skier and they claimed they couldn’t see the observer sitting across from me. Happened coming down the lake just past Thompson Bay. Lights come on I come to a stop and then head back up my line to my skier to protect them from boat traffic and pick them up. The observer had to pull the ski line in just so the cop wouldn’t foul his prop on it. Cop was mildly pissed I went back for my skier instead of letting them come alongside. He yelled at me that the observer had to be clearly visible in the boat (really?).

So yeah I agree when I see them now I think they are looking for more ways to wave the flag because that’s easier than going after people actually doing stupid things.

 

[rrrr]

Not a fan of the drunk driving, but where is the same level of outrage for the "technology impaired" driver that kills a bunch of people while texting, watching TikTok, etc.?

Right here. I pass those idiots all the time on the freeway and city streets. Morons.

 

[shintoooo]

Can you imagine a DUI checkpoint in Havasu on a Saturday night on McColluch Blvd?

 

[was thatguy]

Can you imagine a DUI checkpoint in Havasu on a Saturday night on McColluch Blvd?

Smoketree and McColluch???

 

[shintoooo]

Smoketree and McColluch???

Oooff

 

[Backlash]

Lol... Just had to tag me into this BS... thanks.

Drunk driving, bad idea. Really anything else need to be discussed?

I didn't want you to feel left out!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Can you imagine a DUI checkpoint in Havasu on a Saturday night on McColluch Blvd?

Saturday night? How about 2PM on a Tuesday right outside Smiths?

 

[Gelcoater]

The point still stands. The people crying about freedom and DUI checkpoints are the same ones that want people checked for immigration papers.

You don’t care about illegal immigration. Noted.

 

[sirbob]

Can you imagine a DUI checkpoint in Havasu on a Saturday night on McColluch Blvd?

I can tell you they sit next to a building 1/2 a block up the hill across from BJs watching people come out of there at night…

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

You don’t care about illegal immigration. Noted.

By that same rationale you don’t care about drunk driving.

 

[Gelcoater]

By that same rationale you don’t care about drunk driving.

You’re going to drive me to drink.

 

[RIVERBORN]

Can you imagine a DUI checkpoint in Havasu on a Saturday night on McColluch Blvd?

Yea. Mccolluch blvd IS a checkpoint. Lol. And I do believe they entrap people that drink downtown.
No…. I don’t condone driving drunk rdp Nancy’s Nor do I think it’s right that Havasu police sit and watch people leaving flying x so they can pull them over. Lol

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

You’re going to drive me to drink.

See if there are any DUI checkpoints in yore area first.

 

[DMF]

Yea. Mccolluch blvd IS a checkpoint. Lol. And I do believe they entrap people that drink downtown.
No…. I don’t condone driving drunk rdp Nancy’s Nor do I think it’s right that Havasu police sit and watch people leaving flying x so they can pull them over. Lol

I cannot fathom why anyone puts themselves in a situation to get a dui. With Uber and Lyft it is so easy to get a ride to and from your preferred drinking establishment or a friend's house.

 

[was thatguy]

I cannot fathom why anyone puts themselves in a situation to get a dui. With Uber and Lyft it is so easy to get a ride to and from your preferred drinking establishment or a friend's house.

Because once a person gets their swerve on they are not thinking clearly.
Impaired.
BUT…they THINK they are perfectly fine and reasonable and can drive…and at times even think they drive BETTER than when sober. (If that’s the case they are horrible drivers to start with)
I used to do it. The $25K and lost work while doing all the bullshit required for my sentence after getting arrested cured me.
I drink, probably as much or more than the celebrated drinkers. So I’m not preaching.
But I know 2-3 beers is it. 2 mixed drinks is it. I know what my BAC is , mostly, and I’ve proven it to the cops on occasion. Yeah, they can use discretion and bust you anyway, but usually there are bigger fish to fry depending on why they stopped you in the first place.
Mine was 23 years ago. Honestly it wasn’t an instant cure.
A couple times I was lucky to get home.
But as you state, there is zero excuse these days.
Uber, Lyft, even the independents that sit outside the bars offering $5-$10 point to point rides make getting home a non issue.
These days I don’t go to bars anyway. Nothing good ever comes of it.