Missouri DWI prevention and enforcement: Roadblocks aren't the answer

Springfield, MO

The enlightened opinion of Sarah Longwell.

The sobriety checkpoints planned for Missouri will funnel limited state and federal grant money away from measures that have proven to be most effective in combating drunk driving ("Patrol will conduct DWI program," March 12).

Because they are highly visible by design and publicized in advance, roadblocks are all too easily avoided by the chronic alcohol abusers that comprise the core of today's drunk driving problem.

Conversely, the number of DUI arrests made by roving patrol programs is nearly 10 times the average number of DUIs made by checkpoint programs, according to testimony by a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation official.

By focusing scarce law enforcement resources on roadblocks, the Missouri Highway Patrol will strip Missouri's roadways of their most valuable tool for catching drunk drivers.

Missouri residents and taxpayers would benefit from employing the most effective tactics to catch drunk drivers: roving police patrols.

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