State "Pop-Up" Safety Checkpoints

[thenetwork]

I was thinking about my early years living in Ohio.  One of the things the Ohio Highway Patrol used to do a lot in the 70s and 80s (and according to lis link -- https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/random-vehicle-safety-inspections-come-region/RA3w6CXrKnKEko5otdK62H/ -- they still do at least a few years ago), they would do "pop-up" safety checkpoints.

If you read the article in the link, you'll see what it encompasses.  Pretty much set up like a modern-day DWI checkpoint, except they perform a safety checklist with the vehicle and the driver.  Pass the simple 2-3 minute test and they give you a decal to place in your windshield which allows you to bypass future checkpoints for about a year.

I lived in a semi-rural area back then, and I believe I got stopped at those checkpoints at least twice.  I also seem to remember my parent's vehicles having those stickers more often than not as well, so it was a big thing back then.  Not a mandatory annual inspection like some states, though.

Did any other states do this kind of roadside safety checkpoints?  Are there stated that still do?  Through my travels in the Rocky Mountain states, outside of DWI checkpoints, the only police pop-up checkpoints I've seen are portable Weigh Stations for the truckers.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I remember me & my brothers being in the car with my mom when she got "caught" by one of those Ohio "pop-up" safety checkpoints back in the mid 80s (it was along US 36/Oh 37 Westbound, between I-71 & Delaware). Heck, I remember my parents cars having multiple OHP safety stickers in their windshields, when I was a kid.
That said, the last time I saw one of Ohio's safety checkpoints was back in the 1990s, and unlike my parents; I have never been stopped by one of them.

[DJ Particle]

Once more test kits come in, I could see more municipalities doing this for coronavirus testing.

[SectorZ]

I guess this is what states do that don't have annual safety inspections for cars? I actually like this system better.

[thenetwork]

An example of one of the stickers:

https://images.app.goo.gl/3XTY1aog8tYqSRbu6

[hbelkins]

If you have a headlight out or something like that, the cop does have the option to stop you and issue you a verbal or written warning. I'd prefer that to these random roadblocks where they go over your car looking for faults.

Kentucky court decisions require police departments to publicize where (but not necessarily when) DUI checkpoints will occur.

[GCrites]

I was thinking about my early years living in Ohio.  One of the things the Ohio Highway Patrol used to do a lot in the 70s and 80s (and according to lis link -- https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/random-vehicle-safety-inspections-come-region/RA3w6CXrKnKEko5otdK62H/ -- they still do at least a few years ago), they would do "pop-up" safety checkpoints.

If you read the article in the link, you'll see what it encompasses.  Pretty much set up like a modern-day DWI checkpoint, except they perform a safety checklist with the vehicle and the driver.  Pass the simple 2-3 minute test and they give you a decal to place in your windshield which allows you to bypass future checkpoints for about a year.

I lived in a semi-rural area back then, and I believe I got stopped at those checkpoints at least twice.  I also seem to remember my parent's vehicles having those stickers more often than not as well, so it was a big thing back then.  Not a mandatory annual inspection like some states, though.

Did any other states do this kind of roadside safety checkpoints?  Are there stated that still do?  Through my travels in the Rocky Mountain states, outside of DWI checkpoints, the only police pop-up checkpoints I've seen are portable Weigh Stations for the truckers.

I remember being a passenger for at least one of these and that all of our cars in the '80s wound up with at least one of the windshield stickers.

Didn't this practice get struck down as "Unlawful Search and Seizure"? With as common as drunk driving was in the old days (even during the day) I'm sure they handed out their  fair share of OMVIs. In fact it might be someone who got an OVI that took it all the way to at least the state Supreme Court, if not the federal.

[SectorZ]

If you have a headlight out or something like that, the cop does have the option to stop you and issue you a verbal or written warning. I'd prefer that to these random roadblocks where they go over your car looking for faults.

Kentucky court decisions require police departments to publicize where (but not necessarily when) DUI checkpoints will occur.

That's actually a US Supreme Court decision responsible for that one I believe. I see local notices for Mass and NH all the time when they go out.

Oddly enough, I have never been snagged in one while driving a car, but did pass one on US 1 in Portsmouth NH on an overnight bike ride. I was not asked to stop.

[TEG24601]

So glad those sorts of stops are unconstitutional in Washington (and Oregon too, I believe).  Sounds like a waste of resources, and a chance to catch people for minor issues.  I much prefer the British MOT system, were you have to get a vehicle inspection, by a qualified garage, to ensure your vehicle is functioning properly, maybe then I would see so many people with burnt out idiot lights, which seem to be about 20% of the vehicles I encounter in the last year locally.

[cpzilliacus]

Did any other states do this kind of roadside safety checkpoints?  Are there stated that still do?  Through my travels in the Rocky Mountain states, outside of DWI checkpoints, the only police pop-up checkpoints I've seen are portable Weigh Stations for the truckers.

I recall seeing these on freeway entrance ramps in Los Angeles County (maybe other counties too), run by the CHP in the 1970's.

Maryland State Police will set-up "popup" truck weight and inspection stations sometimes, but only where it is safe (with room to park trucks that have been placed out of service), and usually where the MSP has gotten a lot of complaints about trucks. 

[hbelkins]

Maryland State Police will set-up "popup" truck weight and inspection stations sometimes, but only where it is safe (with room to park trucks that have been placed out of service), and usually where the MSP has gotten a lot of complaints about trucks.

Kentucky can set up portable scales, as well.

[GCrites]

That's a bit different regarding individual rights since it's an obvious commercial endeavor though.

[Rothman]

Maryland State Police will set-up "popup" truck weight and inspection stations sometimes, but only where it is safe (with room to park trucks that have been placed out of service), and usually where the MSP has gotten a lot of complaints about trucks.

Kentucky can set up portable scales, as well.

And NY.

[GCrites]

Ohio does that too. Is there a cop in a pickup truck with a cap pulling over your semi? That's the scales.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I've seen spots in Minnesota where "permanently closed"  weigh stations with the facilities removed will deploy the portable scales. The station is signed as open when this happens.

[cpzilliacus]

Ohio does that too. Is there a cop in a pickup truck with a cap pulling over your semi? That's the scales.

Maryland has (or had) some unmarked Ford F350 dually pickups for that purpose, but the preferred vehicle these days seems to be Ford Expeditions or Chevy Suburbans, usually with no police markings.

[GCrites]

In Ohio most seem to be marked but around harvest time unmarked vans drive around looking for overweight farm semis.

[DevalDragon]

Illinois still does random seat belt checks. Kind of strange to think that people still don't wear them at this day in time...

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Illinois still does random seat belt checks. Kind of strange to think that people still don't wear them at this day in time...

Because government wants them to. That's why they won't. Plus, that one person out of 100000000 who survived because he wasn't wearing a seat belt is proof enough for them.