Effectiveness of Sobriety Checkpoints for Reducing Alcohol-Involved Crashes

The goal of sobriety checkpoints is to deter drinking and driving by systematically stopping drivers for assessment of alcohol impairment, thus increasing the perceived risk of arrest for alcohol-impaired driving. This review examines the effectiveness of random breath testing (RBT) checkpoints, at which all drivers stopped are given breath tests for blood alcohol levels, and selective breath testing (SBT) checkpoints, at which police must have reason to suspect the driver has been drinking before demanding a breath test. A systematic review of the effectiveness of sobriety checkpoints in reducing alcohol-involved crashes and associated injuries and fatalities was conducted using the methodology developed for the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide). Substantial reductions in crashes were observed for both checkpoint types across various outcome measures and time periods. Results suggest that both RBT and SBT checkpoints can play an important role in preventing alcohol-related crashes and associated injuries.