Sobriety Checkpoints Could Be In Store For Texas

Representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving are in Austin asking for lawmakers to crack down on drunk driving. They are asking for strict rules that would require ignition locks for anyone already convicted of drunk driving.
But it’s another possibility that's making some angry. What is making human rights activists upset is the idea of sobriety checkpoints used to catch drunk drivers and according to some, invade the privacy of thousands.
“We don’t want another family to go through what we have gone through.”
It’s been 2 years since Rosie and Americo Moncada lost their son David in a car accident. The father of two was hit and killed by a drunk driver at only 32 years of age.
“Not until it hit home are you aware of the magnitude our lives are forever altered its not the same.”
His parents are now pleading with lawmakers to create stricter laws to help catch drunk drivers before they can take the lives of others. People like the Moncada family says every single effort to take drunk drivers off the street should be made but not everyone seems to agree.
“Once you try to make these things legal and say this is the exception to the constitution there should be no exceptions to the constitution,” says A.C.L.U. representative David Almaraz.
Bills being presented to legislatures include setting up sobriety checkpoints throughout the state. David Almaraz of the American Civil Liberties Union says the efforts have gone too far and could now even be an invasion of privacy.
“Once you make exception where do you go from there. From there you have exceptions for drug type checkpoints.”
Members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving claim repeat D.W.I. offenses would be reduced by 64% and could prevent up to 200 deaths per year and say they will keep pushing for new laws until something is done.
“Even if in our lifetime we don’t get this bill as long as we bring out the awareness were gonna keep at it were going to keep at it its what our son would want.”
Currently Texas is one of 11 states that by law cannot conduct sobriety checkpoints.
Almaraz says studies he's read show that such checkpoints could cost thousands of dollars per month to operate and believes it is still not as effective.

source