In states where roadblocks have somehow been deemed legal, every time you drive you're leaving yourself open to the kind of search described in the title of this article. And while they're searching your car, the police will probably find the 4th amendment sitting in the trash next to an empty Burger King cup.
That's how much respect it's getting every time a police department sets up another roadblock (also known by the more politically-appealing name of sobriety checkpoints).
Police have been given unprecedented power when stopping your vehicle at a roadblock. Their use has been justified based on the fantasy that roadblocks function like a giant police net that catches only drunk drivers, drug dealers, and terrorists.
In the real world, roadblocks "catch" mostly innocent drivers and give the police the opportunity to abuse any individual or group they chose to target.
Are you really comfortable giving that much power to the police? What are the odds that they won't abuse their power?
The odds are zero. They already are abusing their power. They have been for years. And they will in the future unless we take a stand and put a stop to this insane practice.
A free and open society that champions individual liberty and personal responsibility – the kind of society we try to tell the world the USA represents, cannot condone the arbitrary stopping, interrogating, intimidation and searching of citizens whose only crime is to be peacefully traveling on a public road.
If you actually believe that these principles – principles that this country was founded on – are worth trading for the small chance that a drunk driver might be pulled over or for a few seat belt violations or for a drug bust, then you're a lost cause.
Seriously, beat it. Leave this page.
We won't even take the time to point out that roving patrols have proven far more effective at stopping drunk drivers, because you probably aren't interested in listening to reason.
If you're still here, then hopefully you're one of the people who understand why the use of roadblocks is such an embarrassment to this country. Someday we'll look back at this time and marvel that the people of this country allowed this kind of injustice to happen for so long and so often.
But before we fast forward to a future where we're high-fiving each other in our rocking chairs because we stopped our government from using roadblocks ever again, we have some work to do.
The authorities want you to think that it would be hard, but in reality it's very simple. It won't take thousands of people to get rid of roadblocks. It will only take a few people with passion.
The National Motorists Association was founded in 1982 to put an end to the 55 mph national speed limit. We beat that ridiculous law and we'll beat this too.
We need more members like you and that's why we're directly asking you to join today. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Not someday. Today.
You don't have to commit to attend any rallies, you don't have show up at your legislator's front door, and you don't have to promise to make it your life's work.
All we're asking is that you join our organization, filled with other drivers like you, and listen.
Simply staying informed is enough to put you miles ahead of most other drivers who continue to bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem goes away on its own.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
– Margaret Mead, American Cultural Anthropologist
And who knows, you may even surprise yourself and become one of those few passionate people that this nation's roads really need.
To join the National Motorists Association, please click on the big red button below.
Join The National Motorists Association
Click here to join thousands of other drivers and become a NMA member.
This is what will happen after you click the join button above:
- You'll be taken to a page where you can enter your name, address, and contact information. We only use this information to provide you with relevant information about driving issues. We don't share it with anyone and we would never even consider selling it to anyone.
- After you finalize your membership by submitting the online membership payment form, you'll receive a receipt/welcome email describing some of the resources that have just become available to you.
- You'll immediately start receiving legislative alerts about traffic laws in your area (only when it's important) and you'll get access to our email newsletter as well (sent every Sunday morning).
- In a few weeks, you'll receive a new member packet in the mail along with a member card and more information to help you get the most out of your membership.
- For as long as you're a supporting member, you'll also receive our quarterly print newsletter in the mail (4 times a year).
The sole focus of the NMA is promoting reasonable traffic laws, but we understand that it can be tempting to decide against helping out. We've found that it's all too easy for some people to justify that decision without some kind of direct, personal benefit being offered to them.
That's why we also provide several membership benefits as an incentive to join (and stick with) the organization. One of our most popular benefits is:
Immunity From Future Speeding Tickets
All supporting members of the National Motorists Association are automatically enrolled in our Traffic Justice Program. Under this program, if you get a speeding ticket while you're a member, your ticket will be paid for by us. The only requirement is that you plead not guilty and fight it in court first. To take advantage of the program you simply submit to NMA a readable copy of the original ticket, the receipt from the Clerk of Court for the amount of the ticket and court costs, and the court confirmation of a trial having been conducted with a "guilty" verdict indicated.
The following restrictions apply: this program is restricted to speeding tickets, a plea bargain voids eligibility, one ticket per member will be paid each membership year (max. payment of $300), "Trial by Declaration" does not qualify as a "court trial", and legal fees for attorneys are not eligible for payment under this program. If a lower court decision is appealed and produces a guilty verdict, payment will be made at the conclusion of the appeal.
Why Are We Willing To Offer This Benefit To Our Members?
Our system of traffic laws and enforcement is broken and one way to force change is to make it unprofitable for cities to continue on their current path. The cities are counting on people just paying them the money. They set budgets that rely on that ticket money and it's to their advantage to do everything they can to inconvenience people who want to fight their ticket in court.
The NMA realizes this and we're offering this program to encourage people to stand up for their rights, fight their tickets, and help us change the system so that it focuses on improving safety instead of generating revenue.
Your supporting membership will extend NMA benefits to you, your spouse, and any children under the age of 21 residing in your home.
Join The National Motorists Association
Click here to join thousands of other drivers and become a NMA member.
Can I join over the phone?
Of course! Just call our membership department toll-free at (800) 882-2785.
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm (Central Time Zone). Evening and weekend inquiries will be answered the following business day and we are closed on typical holidays.