U.S. Senators Ask Apple to Shut Down DUI Checkpoint Apps

As reported by CNET News, several members of Congress have sent a letter to Apple Inc. requesting that it remove applications that alert users to the presence of DUI sobriety checkpoints.

The letter was sent by U.S. Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and was addressed to Apple's senior vice president of iPhone software, Scott Forstall.

The letter highlights apps that "contain a database of DUI [driving under the influence] checkpoints updated in real-time" as well as one that sends out real-time alerts about the existence of these checkpoints.

The senators claim that "providing access to iPhone and iPad applications that alert users to DUI checkpoints is harmful to public safety."

Apple has not yet issued a public response.

It is important to point out that not everyone necessarily shares the senators' opinion regarding DUI checkpoint applications. District attorneys, police officers, and even officials at Mothers Against Drunk Driving have all voiced their approval of such services as a powerful DUI deterrent.

The senators' letter also does not seem to consider that law enforcement officials are required by law to publically announce certain information about the locations of future DUI checkpoints. Many of these applications simply gather this information and share it with the public.

California drivers who wish to be informed of California DUI checkpoints have no need to worry about Apple's policy regarding these applications. The locations of California DUI checkpoints are always available on this blog as well as Twitter.

Residents of Orange County can also visit the Orange County DUI Checkpoints website to find out about checkpoint locations.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in California at a sobriety checkpoint, contact our California DUI attorneys today.