With America on the verge of a hazardous holiday weekend, Americans finally get some good news on the drunk driving front – though only to a point. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters says drunk driving fatalities for 2007 dropped in 32 states. Meanwhile, America’s drunk driving fatality total fell from nearly 13,500 in 2006 to 12,998 in 2007.

The downside is that motorcycle drunk driving fatalities actually increased last year by 7.5 per cent, to 1,621 persons killed. This dovetails with the fact that motorcycle fatalities are increasing overall while traffic fatalities decrease overall. That’s when all road fatalities are factored in, whether alcohol-related or not.

The other downside is this simple fact: nearly 13,000 persons died last year on America’s roads because someone chose to get drunk and then drive. As the head of California’s state traffic office says, they’re “not exactly celebrating these numbers” even though their state leads the nation in drunk driving fatalities declines. “Our vision is really toward zero deaths – everyone counts,” says the state’s Christopher Murphy.

Motorcycle deaths soaring

Not only that, but the trend in all motorcycle fatalities is disturbing. According to the National Highway Traffic  Safety Administration, America’s motorcycle fatalities have increased every year for the past decade, rising from 5 per cent of all fatalities in 1997 to 13 per cent of all fatalities in 2007.

While 18 states were having increases in drunk driving fatalities of all kinds last year, California had the biggest decrease by taking several initiatives. One was to conduct 1,000 sobriety checkpoints during the year. Another was to urge citizens to call 911 if they spotted erratic and potentially drunk drivers on the road.

In the Houston area, police already are gearing up for a crackdown on drunk driving for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

This includes “no refusal” programs in Harris, Wharton, Waller and Fort Bend counties, in which police officers can contact a judge in person or by phone to obtain a search warrant should a driver refuse to take a breath or blood test to determine alcohol levels. If the officer believes there is probable cause, such warrants will allow them to gather evidence which police say almost always holds up in court.

A nurse or other medical personnel will draw the blood after the judge has issued a warrant in person or by fax. For Harris County’s crackdown, prosecutors, judges and nurses all will be available at the old Houston Police headquarters building at 61Reisner. Law enforcement officers in Harris County will seek blood tests, not breath tests.

Officials in other Texas counties will be taking “no refusal” blood tests as well. And the Texas Department of Public Safety will be stepping up its efforts across the state.

Contact a drunk driving lawyer today

Such crackdowns can help in boosting convictions, but they won’t necessarily spare many people the agony of being a victim in a drunk driving accident. Such tragedies begin with individuals and their own responsibility for safe driving.

Yet as many as one in 12 Americans admit having driven while possibly drunk in the past year. Meanwhile, many people – including college presidents -- are pressing to lower the legal age for drinking from 21 to 18.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a drunk driver, a drunk driving lawyer with Jim S. Adler & Associates can help. The firm offers a free case review.  Meanwhile, buckle up and be safe.