DUI and DL Checkpoints
The City of Placentia Police Department conducts, from time to time, driving under the influence (DUI) and driver license (DL) checkpoints. They will pick a well traveled street and cone the road lanes down to one. The checkpoint typically goes up at night. A stop sign is put toward the end of the row of single lane of cones and a number of police officers wait for each batch of cars to pass. They allow so many cars to pass and then stop a select line of cars for inspection. The inspection point is typically illuminated by generators and lights. If you come upon a checkpoint and are stopped, the officer may ask for your license and registration. They are primarily looking for signs of impairment. The process is quite quick and your travel through the checkpoint should not delay your trip more than a minute or two. The purpose of these checkpoints is to improve roadway safety.
The Supreme Court decided that when these checks are preformed with minimal intrusion and under specified guidelines, the benefit of these checkpoints greatly outweighs the minor intrusion on individual's rights.