---
title: "Can I legally turn around to avoid a Massachusetts DUI checkpoint?"
description: "Turning around is not automatically illegal, but doing so through a traffic violation (illegal U-turn, sudden swerving, crossing double yellow) gives officers reasonable suspicion to stop you..."
url: https://massduiguy.com/faq-items/can-i-legally-turn-around-to-avoid-a-massachusetts-dui-checkpoint/
date: 2026-07-01
modified: 2026-07-01
author: "Criminal Defense Attorney Rory Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Can I legally turn around to avoid a Massachusetts DUI checkpoint?

Turning around is not automatically illegal, but doing so through a traffic violation (illegal U-turn, sudden swerving, crossing double yellow) gives officers reasonable suspicion to stop you separately from the checkpoint. For sober drivers, proceeding through the checkpoint politely is safer. For drivers who have been drinking, the safer move is not to drive.