Charleston DUI Checkpoints in 2026: What Drivers Need to Know

Charleston DUI Checkpoints in 2026: What Drivers Need to Know

Heading into 2026, Charleston law enforcement has made it clear that DUI checkpoints will remain a core enforcement strategy, especially on weekends, holidays, and in high-traffic nightlife corridors.

In recent months, the Charleston Police Department has launched an aggressive campaign to curb impaired driving. That means DUI checkpoints-sometimes referred to as “sobriety checkpoints” or “license and registration checkpoints”-are showing up again across Charleston County.

Reports are coming in from Downtown Charleston, Folly Beach, and James Island. Local drivers are reporting increased police presence on key roads at night. But what many people don’t realize is that DUI checkpoints come with strict rules and rights that can directly impact whether an arrest will hold up in court.

Where Are Charleston DUI Checkpoints Being Set Up?

Charleston Police have confirmed recent DUI checkpoints in the following areas:

Recent and Historical Checkpoint Locations

Local media and official city alerts show that Charleston PD has deployed checkpoints at these locations over the past year:

• Checkpoints often occur between 5 PM and 4 AM on major roads, including, but not limited to, Johns Island near Main/17, Brownswood, and Maybank Highway. Read More.

• Johns Island on Berryhill Road near Kay Street, and US-78 near East Owens Drive, observed between 5 p.m – 11 p.m. Read More.
  
• Folly Road near Albemarle Road and Calhoun Street near Pitt Street, observed between 9 p.m. – midnight on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
  
• King Street at Huger Street, Calhoun Street at Halsey Boulevard, during weekend operations between 9 p.m. and midnight in late April 2025.
  
• East Bay Street at South Street and King/Huger intersection, conducted starting at 7 p.m. on May 16, 2024.
  
• New Year’s Eve 2025 – four checkpoints at:
  
  • Morrison Drive & Jackson Street (8:00–9:30 p.m.)
    
  • Calhoun & Smith (9:45–11:15 p.m.)
    
  • Harborview & Highway 30 (9:30–10:30 p.m.)
    
  • Highway 61 near Sycamore Avenue (10:30 p.m.–midnight)
    

Where Else Can You Get Pulled Over in Charleston?

Beyond formal DUI or traffic safety checkpoints, drivers in Charleston are frequently stopped on major arterial roads and high-traffic corridors where officers run routine patrols and saturation enforcement. This includes roads like Folly Road and Maybank Highway connecting James Island and Johns Island, main thoroughfares throughout West Ashley, and the Crosstown in downtown Charleston. Increased police presence is also common near nightlife and tourist areas such as King Street, Meeting Street, and East Bay Street. Outside the peninsula, drivers often encounter traffic stops in Mount Pleasant along Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Highway 17, and Highway 26, particularly during evening hours, weekends, and periods of heavy congestion. These areas are consistently targeted due to traffic volume, prior accident data, and DUI arrest history.

What Should You Do If You’re Stopped at a Checkpoint?

If you find yourself in a DUI checkpoint in Charleston, here’s what to do:

• Pull over safely and promptly.
  Use your turn signal, slow down, and pull over to a safe, well-lit area. Do not stop abruptly or drive excessively far before pulling over.
  
• Turn off your engine and stay in the vehicle.
  Unless instructed otherwise, remain in your car with the engine off. Exiting your vehicle without being told can raise unnecessary suspicion.
  
• Keep your hands visible at all times.
  Place both hands on the steering wheel where the officer can clearly see them. Passengers should keep their hands visible as well.
  
• Wait before reaching for anything.
  Do not reach for your license, glove box, or console until asked. Sudden movements can be misinterpreted.
  
• Provide required documents only.
  When requested, calmly provide your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. You are not required to provide anything beyond these documents.
  
• Limit conversation and do not volunteer information.
  Officers may ask casual questions such as “Where are you coming from?” or “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” You are not required to answer. A polite response like, “I prefer not to answer any questions,” is sufficient.
  
• Be polite but firm about your rights.
  Do not argue, joke, or become confrontational. Calmly asserting your rights is far more effective than debating with an officer on the roadside.
  
• Do not consent to vehicle searches.
  If asked for permission to search your vehicle, clearly say, “I do not consent to any searches.” Do not explain or justify your decision.
  
• Follow instructions, even if you disagree.
  If an officer gives a lawful instruction, comply calmly. Disputes about legality should be handled later by an attorney, not during the stop.
  
• Understand field sobriety and breath test consequences.
  Under South Carolina’s implied consent law, refusing a breath test can result in an immediate license suspension. In some situations, refusal may limit the evidence against you, but this decision depends on the facts of the stop. Field sobriety tests are voluntary, but officers may not clearly explain that. Speak with a DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.
  
• Do not attempt to “talk your way out” of the stop.
  Statements made during a checkpoint or traffic stop are often used as evidence. Silence cannot be used against you, but statements can.
  
• If arrested, say nothing and request an attorney.
  If you are placed under arrest, clearly state that you wish to remain silent and want to speak with a lawyer. Then stop answering questions.

What Are Police Looking for at a Charleston Checkpoint?

While these stops may be advertised as routine “safety checks,” police are specifically looking for:

• Impaired drivers
  
• Open containers or drugs in plain view
  
• Signs of intoxication, like slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or the smell of alcohol
  
• Suspended licenses, outstanding warrants, or expired registrations
  

You are not legally required to answer incriminating questions. You can—and often should—politely decline to answer beyond basic identification. If they ask, “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” you’re within your rights to say, “I’d prefer not to answer any questions.”

Targeted Areas for DUI Checkpoints

According to ABC News 4, these checkpoints often occur on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights between 9:00 p.m. and midnight.

Most target areas near downtown bars, bridges, and high-traffic corridors connecting the peninsula to surrounding areas like James Island, West Ashley, and North Charleston.

Law enforcement says the increased presence is data-driven: police analyze areas with the most DUI-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities to determine where to deploy resources.

Why These Locations for a DUI Checkpoint?

Police deploy checkpoints based on data-driven analysis—emphasizing trouble spots with high rates of DUI accidents or fatalities. After the fatal Morrison Drive hit-and-run in April 2024, city leadership intensified checkpoint enforcement especially around King Street and bridges into the peninsula.

Large-scale events, holidays like New Year’s Eve, and heavier enforcement times (evenings on weekends) often see saturation patrols and checkpoints in multiple zones across Charleston and neighboring areas.

South Carolina DUI Checkpoint Law: What Matters

Checkpoint stops are legal in SC, but only if police strictly follow constitutional and statutory protocols:

• Advance approval and use of pre‑determined stopping sequence (e.g., every car or every third car); no discretion per vehicle.
  
• Visible signage, proper lighting, cone/barrier setup, trained officers and a supervising officer must be present.
  
• Advance public notice of checkpoint locations and times, often via media or official alerts, is required.
  
• The primary purpose must be public safety, not routine crime enforcement or increasing arrest quotas.
  

Failure to meet these standards—including inadequate notice or arbitrary stops—can provide grounds to challenge a DUI arrest at a checkpoint.

Typical Timing & Patterns to Know

Historical data and official alerts indicate the following:

Period/Event	Typical Locations	Time Range
Spring–May 2024	East Bay & South; King & Huger	~7 p.m.–10 p.m.
March 2025	Folly Road & Albemarle; Calhoun & Pitt	9 p.m.–Midnight
Late April 2025	King & Huger; Calhoun & Halsey	9 p.m.–Midnight
New Year’s Eve 2024	Morrison/Jackson; Calhoun/Smith; others	8 p.m.–Midnight

Are DUI Checkpoints Legal in South Carolina?

Yes, but the law requires that police follow specific guidelines. If these aren’t met, any resulting DUI charges may be subject to dismissal.

To be legal in South Carolina, a DUI checkpoint must:

• Be authorized in advance by supervisory law enforcement
  
• Use a pre-determined, non-random method of stopping vehicles
  
• Have visible signage, cones, and lights to indicate it’s a lawful checkpoint
  
• Be part of a neutral, public safety effort—not simply to boost arrest numbers
  
• Offer advance public notice (which often appears in local media or police alerts)
  

If any of these factors are missing or improperly handled, your DUI charge could be vulnerable. Learn more about common defense strategies in Mastantuno Law Firm’s step-by-step DUI defense guide.

What Happens If You’re Arrested for DUI in Charleston?

A first-time DUI charge in South Carolina can carry:

• Fines and court costs
  
• License suspension
  
• Mandatory alcohol education programs
  
• Possible jail time
  
• Permanent criminal record
  

But not all DUI charges result in conviction. If the checkpoint was improperly set up or executed, the entire case can be challenged. Learn what to expect after a first-time DUI charge in SC, and how a criminal defense team can fight for your future.

Related Legal Issues

Checkpoint-related arrests aren’t always limited to DUI. At Mastantuno Law Firm, we also defend Charleston clients against:

• Drug possession charges
  
• Firearm charges
  
• Probation violations
  
• Outstanding warrants
  
• Resisting arrest
  

See more about our criminal defense services.

If the checkpoint results in an accident or injury, we can help victims pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Insurance companies will often deny or undervalue these claims—especially when alcohol is involved. Here’s how to protect your rights.

Need Help After a DUI Arrest in Charleston?

Mastantuno Law Firm has successfully defended hundreds of DUI and criminal charges across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, and the surrounding Low country. We understand how DUI checkpoints work—and how to find the holes in the prosecution’s case.

If you’ve been charged, don’t wait.

Visit us: https://mastantuno.com
Call now for a free consultation: (843) 720-3741
Or contact us through our online form.