BISMARCK -- North Dakota House lawmakers approved a bill prohibiting law enforcement from using checkpoints to catch drunk drivers Tuesday, Feb. 12.

House Bill 1442 would require police to have "reasonable suspicion" for halting a driver, according to its primary sponsor, Bismarck Republican Rep. Rick Becker. He argued checkpoints are an ineffective tool for catching violators.

The bill does not apply to inspections or safety checkpoints for commercial motor vehicles.

The bill passed in a 79-14 vote and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Becker has unsuccessfully pushed similar legislation in the past two sessions.