A US man says police violated his right to free speech when they cited him for holding a sign warning motorists to turn if they wanted to avoid a police drink-driving checkpoint.

Douglas Odolecki, of Ohio, held a sign in Parma that said: "Check point ahead! Turn now!" Parma police say city lawyers believe the part of the sign telling motorists to turn is illegal.

It is not the first time Mr Odolecki has used the sign. Police arrested him in 2012 for having a knife in his pocket while holding it and he did community service after admitting disorderly conduct.

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