Las Vegas Metro Steps up DUI Checkpoints for Holiday Weekend
This Memorial Day weekend Las Vegas Metropolitan Police orchestrated one of the most aggressive DUI Checkpoint operations ever and arrested dozens of motorists. Authorities say fatalities resulting from drunk driving so far this year are down 72% from last year, and they credit DUI checkpoints for the improvement. Once the cars entered the checkpoint, the officer asked the driver if he/she had been drinking. If the officer smelled alcohol, he/she conducted field sobriety tests followed by a breathalyzer test.
Las Vegas DUI Checkpoint laws make it legal for law enforcement to pull over drivers even if they're not displaying any signs of driving under the influence or haven't committed any traffic violations. Authorities are not required to publicize checkpoints in advance for them to be lawful. However, Las Vegas DUI Checkpoint laws do outline strict rules mandating that various signs and signals be displayed on the highway in order to give motorists some advance notice that a checkpoint is ahead of them.
Las Vegas DUI Checkpoint laws make it a crime to drive through a checkpoint without stopping and following the officers' orders. If no death, substantial bodily harm or damage to property exceeding $1,000 occurred, then the driver faces a gross misdemeanor charge of up to $2,000 in fines and/or up to 1 year in jail. Otherwise, the motorist faces a felony B charge that carries up to $5,000 in fines and/or 1 to 6 years in prison.
