Over the 4th of July weekend, you will probably notice an influx of traffic checkpoints. This is because it is a holiday weekend. There will be many travelers, and there will be a lot of partying. Your friends have told you about their checkpoint experiences and have even warned others on social media about where one might be, but maybe you have never been through a DUI checkpoint yourself. Do not worry, you should not be nervous about coming across one.

You will pull over to the side of the road and roll your window down to answer the officer’s questions: Where are you headed tonight? Where are you coming from? How much have you had to drink? Depending on your answers, you may need to blow into a breathalyzer...

There is a good chance you, or someone you know, will come across a DUI checkpoint sometime in your life, and that time may be during 4th of July Weekend. Unless you are driving while under the influence, have a gun, or are running away from just committing a crime, you have nothing to worry about. DUI checkpoints are standard procedure, and if you have nothing to hide, you will be fine.

If you have never been through a checkpoint before, here is what you can expect:

• The police will signal you to slow down and pull over to the side of the road where they have sectioned off their checkpoint area.
• You will be asked some questions, including where you are going, where you are coming from, and if you have been drinking.
• You may be asked to take a sobriety test.
• If everything checks out, ...

America’s birthday is just a few weeks away, and because it is such a big bash every year, plans get put into motion weeks in advance. There is only one way to celebrate America’s birthday every year, and that is with a bang. Go all out! Wear red, white, and blue, gather your friends, and hit the beach, throw a barbecue, go camping, or go for a weekend trip. You have 3 days to celebrate, 3 straight days to not worry about work or school. However, you have 3 straight days to keep yourself in check or else the police will put you in check.

The police will be setting up more checkpoints than normal all weekend long. They will have more presence on the beaches and around parks. They are on the lookout for people who are too drunk...