The number of sobriety checkpoints in New Hampshire has increased over the past several years, according to a report filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by the New Hampshire government.
Both the number of checkpoints held and the number of law enforcement units holding checkpoints have increased in recent years. In 2005, only nine law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire held sobriety checkpoints, and only thirteen checkpoints were conducted. These numbers nearly doubled in 2006 when 16 agencies held a total of 32 checkpoints. By 2009, a total of 39 police agencies set up sobriety checkpoints somewhere in New Hampshire, and 67 checkpoints were held overall. The amount of training officers received in getting a checkpoint approved by law, setting it up, and running the checkpoint also increased, and in 2008, the New Hampshire State Police purchased a “mobile checkpoint” vehicle specifically designed for use at sobriety checkpoints.
In order to find the additional staff and resources needed to run these checkpoints, some agencies pooled their efforts. For instance, seven law enforcement units in Merrimack County joined forces on a total of 14 sobriety checkpoints in 2008. Smaller-scale checkpoints were held by law enforcement units working alone. The New Hampshire State Police, for example, were responsible for six separate checkpoints in 2008.
Charges of drunk driving in New Hampshire come with serious penalties if you are convicted. At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire drunk driving defense attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those charged with drunk driving. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (603) 624-3700.
