[fscpd907]

Lawmakers File Bill To Ban Sobriety Checkpoints
Law Enforcement Agencies, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Defend Practice

PROVIDENCE -- Two Democratic House lawmakers have introduced a bill that would outlaw roadside police checkpoints used to identify drunken drivers.

Rep. Charlene Lima is the bill's prime sponsor. She said the checkpoints violate people's civil rights, and "smack of a police state."

Law enforcement agencies and Mothers Against Drunk Driving defend the practice, citing the state's high alcohol-related deaths.

Police checkpoints have been illegal in Rhode Island since a court ruling in 1989 that they violate search and seizure provisions in the state Constitution. The U.S. Constitution allows them.

Attorney General Patrick Lynch wants the state Supreme Court to revisit the ban.

Gov. Don Carcieri has not decided whether to approach the court. His spokesman said he's working with state police on possible other solutions.

Rhode Island is one of 11 states that prohibit the practice.

 

[Macop]

Ediots want to get rid of it so they cna drive drunk.

 

[frapmpd24]

Nothing like elected officials showing concern for public safety :roll: Thats deplorable.

Must be common with people from Rhode Island to come up with the most absurd laws. About a year ago I stopped a guy from the lovely State of Roe-Di-Lund (Pawtucket Accent) for 89/9 and 90/7. No sooner do I get to the window he is spewing this garbage that he filed legislation in Massachusetts and Rhode Island so that it's illegal for police officers to stop people for equipment violations because thats all we do. As I start to write the gig, surprise surprise...suspended payment default and a warrant... :lol: I wonder how far his law went...

 

[GD]

In Rhode Island, the most liberalist(communist state) believe it is ok to drive drunk(lol).

 

[nightcopppa]

Sounds like one of local legislators got bagged to me. Don't think the feds don't see this type of BS going on and take note of it. We'll see how much fun it is driving around hammered on highways with holes in them the size of a VW!!!

 

[MVS]

Unfortunately, like many things.. it requires a drastic spike in the death toll to change these idiotic (I mean Political) mindsets. Some of the politicians out there are worse than the ACLU.