14 charged in Kane Co. 'no refusal' DUI campaign

Kane County's fourth "No Refusal" crackdown on drunken drivers netted 14 arrests in 11 communities over Halloween weekend, but officials interpreted the "relatively low" number as a sign motorists are wising up.

"I can't say it's because of the program, but apparently people are choosing not to drive," State's Attorney John Barsanti said Tuesday. "Something is working here."

Launched last May, "No Refusal" allows police to request court-ordered sobriety tests for suspected drunken drivers who refuse testing otherwise. Those who refuse the court order can face additional charges, such as obstructing justice.

This time around, authorities cast a wider net than ever before, involving 11 local police agencies, the sheriff's office and the state police. The only related arrests, however, were in Carpentersville, Geneva, Elgin, St. Charles and Montgomery.

Lt. Mike Blahnik of the West Dundee Police Department said local bars were relatively slow for the holiday weekend, and officers were frequently flagged down by citizens who wanted specifics on the operation.

"Word seems to have gotten out," he said. "In the past, the bars have been busier on a Halloween weekend. But they were dead this year."

Statewide, blood-alcohol tests are refused by about 20,000 people each year, often as a strategy to avoid prosecution, according to the Secretary of State's Office and prosecutors.

Barsanti said the goal of "No Refusal" is to dispel the "myth" that suspected drunken drivers have a right to refuse sobriety tests. He said his office is reaching out to area police chiefs about setting up procedures so "No Refusal" is "an option all the time.

"I would like to see that this is what commonly happens, where refusing to blow is not a strategy for a driver," he said.

Of those caught up in the Halloween campaign, three had prior DUI convictions, officials said, and two initially refused testing. Only one warrant was obtained over the weekend to compel a driver to cooperate.

"Success is curtailing drunk driving, not getting warrants," Barsanti said. "It would seem that people are rethinking their partying plans and either staying home or seeking safe modes of transportation. We can't ask for much more than that."