It’s pointless to try using apps to avoid impaired checkpoints
Police know drivers will embrace the tech, but more awareness works both ways
I researched RIDE program statistics for Ontario and five of the top eight drop-downs contained the word “locations.” People are trying to find out where checkpoints are in their community. You know, those seasonal roadside checks that take about three minutes of your time and root out the impaired drivers. But it’s always nice to see some people are taking the time to plan their impaired driving and scouting out routes ahead of time.
However, there’s a difference now. I can’t very well continue bellyaching about people tweeting out spot-check locations when Google Maps and other apps, such as Waze, give everybody the heads-up to police presence — or at least congestion — in the area.
People may be trying to circumvent a spot-check location or simply trying to navigate around the traffic.
“We welcome the technology, actually,” said Sgt. Brett Moore with Toronto Police Services.
“It’s out there and it makes more sense to not think we can put it back in the box.”
He noted roadside police checks are not only about getting impaired drivers off the road, but also about awareness and education.
He points to many police departments now teaming their efforts with mapping apps.
We tend to focus on people driving home from parties after imbibing, but he makes a good point about people who think, “Oh, I’m only going a few blocks. It’ll be fine.”
Why take the risk? Which isn’t to say that if you make a U-turn you might not be spotted. A U-turn stands out like a sore thumb. Those checkpoints always have a lot of police cars at them and some are there to chase down those who opt to hightail it.
“We see a variety of excuses,” said Moore. “Some are avoiding the congestion, others are evading the stop.”
They will stop you and you’ll have lots of time to let them know which camp you fall into.
Moore brought my attention to something he calls a huge part of monitoring impaired drivers: the public. If you suspect a driver is impaired, you call 911. Seven thousand calls were made to the Toronto police radio room between January and November this year alone.
Shorter version? Don’t drive impaired. There are many options out there, so plan ahead before you imbibe.
How sober you are is inversely proportional to how sober you think you are.
Be honest. RIDE programs are often in full swing later in the evening. If I had a glass of wine with dinner four hours before, I’m not impaired. You might be — everyone is different — but they’re looking for impairment. Most people are terrible liars. Find the lie, find the impaired.
If you purposely dodge a spot check, you’re putting a target on yourself. They have the manpower to pull you over.
Presume you’re being filmed any time you’re driving. Dash cams are everywhere. Get used to it.
Don’t wreck the holidays by killing yourself or someone else because you opted to get behind the wheel while impaired. It’s a choice.