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The answer is no.

I should hope that would be obvious to even the most hard core pro-drunk drving enthusiast.

And no... Cops should not search your car without probable cause either.

But if you are out after 2 AM having beeen spotted leaving a bar, with a tail-light out...

Then guess what they have? That’s right: Probable Cause.

(I ignored you the first time you asked this stupid question, trying not to embarrass you, but since you persisted.....)

And no... Cops should not search your car without probable cause either.

You didn't embarrass me, you embarrassed yourself big-time, since you want more checkpoints but don't believe cops can stop and search people without probable cause. That's downright irrational.

“But if you are out after 2 AM having beeen spotted leaving a bar, with a tail-light out...Then guess what they have? That’s right: Probable Cause.”

Oh? And your drunkenness caused that tail light to burn out...how?

Did its little heart just break to see you coming out of a bar drunk again?

Light bulbs burn out, even those owned by tea-totalers. People do stop in at bars at 1:30 for one drink.

What you have is probable cause to think a light bulb has burnt out, nothing more.

I've gathered that your notion of a "pro-drunk drving (sic) enthusiast" is anyone who gets behind the wheel with any degree of alcohol in his system. I suppose that includes me, although I would disagree with both the assessment and the definition.

You mention probable cause and that is what I would like to respond to. As a musician, your scenario (leaving a bar, with a tail-light out) is always problematic. As a matter of course, I do a light check and a walk-around of my vehicle before taking off after a gig for just that reason.

I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped for no other reason than the fact that I was spotted leaving a bar at 2AM (or thereabouts). No driving infraction, no vehicle defects, just guilt by association. (well, and the stench of 2nd hand cigarette smoke and the red eyes that go with it ;'}

So you take it into account that you're dealing with a dick who can't be bothered to actually seek out crime. You answer his questions and show him your gear in an effort to convince him that you were just working. After a half-hour of checks by these "Guardians Against Crime" they let you go because their fishing expedition turned up nothing. They growl something about "watch yourself!" and speed off in search of a place where they can catch a few winks. Oh well, it's a living...;'}

Now your scenario becomes a potential nightmare where these same bozos can blood you as a part of their game. That's swell...until they blood you.

This is a "slippery slope" and no one is immune!