The Crime Solutions platform presents a meta-analysis of 40 studies that identified that sobriety checkpoints have a significant effect in terms of reducing the number of vehicle collisions. The researchers point to an overall 13% reduction in the number of accidents in locations that have implemented sobriety checkpoints [1].
The Crime Reduction Toolkit platform also cites this work and incorporates two other works, one with 15 studies and another with 23 studies. The first meta-analysis found positive effects of police programs based on the installation of breathalyzer checkpoints on deaths in accidents related to drunk driving. An average reduction of 8.9% in alcohol-related accidents was observed [2]. Similarly, the second meta-analysis found that any contact with checkpoints, whether by approaching them or simply passing through them, reinforces people’s perception of increased police activity and contributes to an increase in the perceived risk of punishment for drunk driving. Through this mechanism, checkpoints can play an important role in preventing alcohol-related accidents and associated injuries [3].
A consolidated evaluation of four independent projects developed with the aim of reducing drunk driving through the use of checkpoints found that this policing model can generate significant reductions in the number of drunk driving deaths when they include: (a) a coordinated statewide effort, (b) the installation of a large number of alcohol checkpoints every weekend throughout the year, (c) intensive publicity of enforcement among the population, and (d) adequate training of enforcement agents [4].
In relation to police patrols on the move, there is insufficient evidence to establish a correlation between increased patrols and a reduction in adverse outcomes associated with drinking and driving [5].