In addition to ringing in the New Year, California rang in the addition of approximately 750 new laws to govern its residents. A few of those laws deal specifically with the Golden State's DUI checkpoint process, which has caused some controversy between safety and immigration advocates, reports NBC Southern California.
The new law prohibits police officers from impounding the cars of unlicensed drivers who are caught at DUI checkpoint locations.
Los Angeles may also extend the ban on impounds to all traffic stops, not just DUI checkpoint locations, according to NBC.
Although it has nothing to do with whether the driver is drunk or not, the impounding practice is reportedly the most common activity at DUI checkpoints and has been very lucrative for police agencies.
Immigration advocates, however, argue that the practice strategically targets undocumented citizens, who are not allowed to apply for driver's licenses in California.
Driving safety advocates, on the other hand, argue that the law allows unsafe drivers to get away with a crime.
"It's a license to kill," Don Rosenberg told NBC. "They've now given unlicensed drivers permission to keep driving, and they're going to kill people."
Unlicensed drivers are reportedly the cause of 20 percent of fatal car crashes, according to the L.A. Police Protective League.
In addition to the controversial impound ban, another new law allows unlicensed or suspected drunk drivers to find another driver to take their car home before the checkpoint ends. If they cannot find a replacement, police can seize the vehicle for 24 hours.
All of the new laws went into effect on Jan. 1. We shall see how the new DUI checkpoint laws will affect road safety in 2012.
Related Resources:
- Find a Los Angeles DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
- Calif. Bans Car Tow Practice that Hit Illegal Immigrants (USA Today)
- DUI Checkpoints (FindLaw)
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