You do not need to have lived in New York long to know that the state takes drunk driving very seriously. Penalties for DUI, DWI or related offenses can cost you thousands of dollars, put you in jail and even see you lose your right to drive for a certain period of time. The risk of being arrested for driving while intoxicated always exists but can be higher during holiday times such as in the summer.
With three of the main driving holidays spanning the summer times—Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day—it is important for you to be aware of how easy it can be to find yourself subject to drunk driving charges. You can be stopped by police at any time for speeding or other traffic infractions. If the officer has reason to believe you have been drinking, you could be asked to take certain tests. In other situations, DUI checkpoints can be set up by law enforcement. In these cases, you do not need to have violated any traffic law for police to test you for drinking and driving.
The Governors Highway Safety Association indicates that, while some states do not hold sobriety checkpoints, New York and its neighboring states do. According to the GHSA, New York relies on the federal constitution to establish the legality of these checkpoints. New Jersey, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts rely on the U.S. and their state constitutions while Connecticut deems checkpoints legal per its state constitution.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about drunk driving checkpoints in New York and surrounding states.