LAW ENFORCEMENT

What is Checkpoint Strikeforce?

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a research-based, multi-state, zero-tolerance initiative designed to get impaired drivers off our roads using checkpoints and patrols when and where drunk driving is most likely to occur and, to educate the public about dangers and consequences of drunk driving. The premise behind this program is simple, there will be sobriety checkpoints, every week, every where - in each participating state - so you never know when or where you may encounter one.

The program began in 2002 as a six-month initiative but due to its success, was expanded to a year-round effort in 2005. The year-long program is comprised of six months of intense enforcement (At least 1 checkpoint per week from July through December) and six months sustained (At least 1 checkpoint per month from January through June). The checkpoints can be multi-agency, cross-jurisdictional, low-manpower, conducted during happy hour, or any other innovative type. Every checkpoint should be highly publicized and visible and ideally supplemented with saturation patrols.

Although Checkpoint Strikeforce began as a Region 3 program (including the state of DE, MD, PA, VA, WV and the District of Columbia), efforts are underway to expand the initiative to other states. We welcome any and all law enforcement agencies interested in combating drunk driving to join "the force". For further details on how your law enforcement agency can become part of the Checkpoint Strikeforce team, call 410-962-7942.

Why Checkpoints?

Sobriety checkpoints have been shown to be an important component of a comprehensive program to reduce drunk driving. Research had shown that sobriety checkpoints can reduce alcohol-related crashes anywhere from 18 to 26 percent.

High visibility enforcement, that included a minimum of one checkpoint per week in addition to DUI saturation patrols, were combined with paid media to create a heightened awareness of impaired driving enforcement throughout the region.

Since 2002, CPSF has held over 5,000 checkpoints throughout the region. The results of these checkpoints include over 2.9 million vehicle contacts resulting in over 5,000 DWI arrests.

It is important to note that although checkpoints are the main ingredient of the program, saturation patrols and other innovative drunk driving prevention enforcement efforts complete the recipe.

The History of Checkpoint Strikeforce

2002

In conjunction with the You Drink & Drive, You Lose national mobilization, the States in the Mid-Atlantic Region developed a checkpoint program - Checkpoint Strikeforce (CPSF). In the first year of this unprecedented border-to-border law enforcement effort, which began June 28, 2002 and continued through New Year's Day, 2003, the Mid-Atlantic Region states conducted more than 700 checkpoints resulting in a total of 9,086 citations that include 1,731 DWI/DUI arrests, 198 juvenile DWI/DUI arrests and 480 seatbelt/child safety seat citations

2003

In the second year of Checkpoint Strikeforce, the Mid-Atlantic Region states topped the first year's effort by conducted nearly 900 checkpoints. This stepped-up effort resulted in a total of 24,629 citations that include 2,514 DWI/DUI arrests, 1,437 safety belt/child safety seat citations, and 189 felony arrests.

2004

The states in the Mid-Atlantic Region increased their efforts again and for the third year's effort, conducted 940 checkpoints. These checkpoints resulted in 3,201 DWI arrests, 2,235 safety belt/child safety seat citations, and 265 felony arrests.

2005

In calendar year 2005, Checkpoint Strikeforce became a year-long program. The states were asked to conduct at least one checkpoint per month during January through June, and continue to conduct one per week during July through December. The number of checkpoints increased slightly, but high enough to break the one thousand checkpoint barrier and total 1,056 with 2,520 DWI/DUI arrests.

2006

In calendar year 2006, the Checkpoint Strikeforce States soared to new heights by conducting more than 1,533 checkpoints and arresting more that 5,051 people for drunk driving.

2007

The end of 2007, the Checkpoint Strikeforce received a major boost to its program by adding another player to its lineup. The "Booze It and Lose It State" of North Carolina joined the Checkpoint Strikeforce team. North Carolina has long been known as a leader in alcohol-impaired-driving enforcement. In 1994, the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP) implemented their "Booze It and Lose It" program. The program focuses on highly visible nighttime impaired-driving checkpoints, year round. In 2007, North Carolina law enforcement conducted 35,655 checkpoints and saturation patrols. These enforcement efforts yielded 9,994 DUI arrests and over 241,000 total traffic violations. Additionally, officers arrested 2,572 fugitives, recovered 592 stolen vehicles, discovered 7,274 drug violations, and made a total of 33,031 criminal arrests.

2008

Although the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement conduct sustained impaired-driving enforcement and sobriety checkpoints throughout the State, this year they officially joined the Checkpoint Strikeforce team. By adding North Carolina and Kentucky to the Checkpoint Strikeforce team, we've added an additional 89,254 square miles of "checkpoint territory" and more than 46,000 checkpoints and patrols per year!

In 2008 all of the Checkpoint Strikeforce states participated in the National Crackdown on impaired drivers, but placed a special emphasis on those driving on rural roadways. Since 55% of all traffic fatalities occur on rural roadways, it made sense to focus our enforcement efforts on those roads. The Crackdown on Country Roads initiative included one weekend of low manpower checkpoints on identified rural roads on August 22-24, 2008. For Crackdown on Country Roads materials click here.

2009

Law Enforcement geared up for Checkpoint Strikeforce 2009 by identifying their most dangerous alcohol-impaired driving roadways and planned checkpoints and patrols for those roads all year long. Special emphasis on impaired driving enforcement during Super Bowl Sunday (January 16 - February 2, 2009), St. Patrick's Day (March 9 - 17, 2009), Fourth of July (June 21 - July 5, 2009) and the National Enforcement Crackdown on Impaired Driving (August 21 - September 7, 2009).

2010

Since recent numbers demonstrate decreases in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in all Region 3 States, all systems are go for the ninth year of Checkpoint Strikeforce. Once again law enforcement will place special emphasis on the six-month period from July through December by planning numerous checkpoints and saturation patrols. Since our data shows us that many impaired drivers also drive unbuckled, a new focus on nighttime seat belt enforcement will be incorporated into the Checkpoint Strikeforce program.