How to design and implement a drinking and driving programme pdf ...

The primary consideration when setting up a checkpoint or roadblock is the safety
of police officers, suspected drink-drivers and other road users. No site should be in
operation without a designated safety officer who has the responsibility of ensuring
overall safety (this person may have other roles as well). Even where only two
or three officers are operating, one officer should be the safety officer. Managing
checkpoints includes:
1. Choosing a safe location
Drinking and Driving: a road safety manual
Selecting a safe location includes considering:
• locating the site where approaching drivers have sufficient time and visibility to
adjust their driving in order to safely negotiate the checkpoint. If in doubt, choose
another location;
• safety factors for officers when setting up and dismantling the site. Persistent bad
weather can render a site impractical or unsafe;
• moving the site to a multiple locations during the course of the work period to
maximise the visible police presence;
• sun glare for drivers approaching the site (the sun will change its position during
the course of the day);
• visibility for motorists, which is of particular concern at dusk and dawn, so extra
precautions should be taken if the operation is taking place over that period;
• locating night-time operations where there is effective illumination and providing
additional lighting for high visibility;
• control of vehicles moving into the site as well as those vehicles passing it;
• the avoidance of unnecessary traffic congestion. Judgement as to what constitutes
unreasonable congestion is subjective, but as a general rule, if you cannot see the
end of the traffic in the distance, it is time to suspend testing operations and allow
it to flow until you can.
• the use of natural barriers where traffic calming is achieved, e.g. toll gates.
3 | How to design and implement a drinking and driving programme
2. Slowing traffic safely
On a two or three-lane carriageway, it is best to slow the traffic down using a funnel
formation of delineation cones, a police checkpoint sign and a merge sign so that the
selection and interception of vehicles can be done from a line of slow moving traffic
rather than a high-speed one. A police car with flashing lights acts as a visible warning
to approaching motorists and more importantly provides a safety corridor for
officers to interview offending drivers. If the funnel method (see Figure 3.5) is chosen,
be aware of the traffic volume both at the time of establishment and what could be
expected later. Narrowing to one lane will automatically create congestion so those
not selected must be moved through quickly.
This method may create advance notice that alcohol intervention enforcement is
being undertaken. Suspected drink-drivers may take a number of evasive actions e.g.
change positions with a passenger, abandon their vehicle, attempt to drive through
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