RI lawmaker: outlaw DUI checkpoints

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Rhode Island state lawmaker says drunk-driving checkpoints are unfair and should be banned.

Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat, has introduced a bill in the General Assembly to prohibit police from conducting traffic checkpoints to identify drunk drivers. A legislative panel reviewed the legislation Wednesday.

Lima says she supports laws against drunk driving, but that checkpoints "smack of a police state." She said there's no reason sober drivers should have to prove to police that they're not driving drunk.

Police officials oppose Lima's bill and say checkpoints are a valuable method of deterring drunk driving.

The bill awaits a vote in the House Judiciary Committee.