Roadblocks and Law Enforcement Spending in New Hampshire

Sobriety checkpoints in New Hampshire are used to deter drunk drivers and to keep New Hampshire roads safe. Though not legal in all states, New Hampshire legitimizes and legalizes these checkpoints through statute with judicial approval. Early in the session, the New Hampshire Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety received HB1283 which would prohibit the use of sobriety checkpoints. The bill passed out of committee by a 12-8 vote on February 13, 2018 and was passed in the House by a voice vote on February 22, 2018.  The purpose of this report is to review the costs and benefits of these roadblocks as well as to compare law enforcement spending between New Hampshire and other states, in order to inform the decisions of policymakers as the bill moves to the Senate.