No-refusal DUI Enforcement Means Suspected Drunk Drivers Will be Tested, Whether They Want it or Not

In addition to , DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba announced Tuesday that law enforcement officers throughout DuPage County will participate in a countywide “No Refusal Weekend."

The initiative is designed to combat the increasing number of suspected drunk drivers who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer following an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.

A search warrant will be sought for anyone who refuses to submit to a breathalyzer in DuPage County over Labor Day weekend. A licensed phlebotomist will be on hand to draw the arrestee’s blood for DUI testing following the issuance of a search warrant. 

“According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, roughly 25 percent of DUI suspects refuse to submit to a breathalyzer,” Berlin said. “Their refusal can make it more difficult to prosecute DUI cases. Chronic drunk drivers know this and attempt to skirt the law by refusing to be tested."

Berlin said he hopes that by announcing the initiative in advance of the Labor Day holiday, more people who drink will "either stay at home or leave their car keys at home."