Winnebago County Enforces ‘No Refusal’ Weekend Ahead of 4th of July

If I've learned anything since moving from Wisconsin to Illinois it's that this state does not play when it comes to drinking and driving. Just yesterday we learned that the Rockford police tied for first in the state for the number of DUI arrests with a total of 470 arrests in 2015; preventing hundreds of crashes and potentially saving thousands of lives.

According to WTVO, local law enforcement plans to keep the arrest streak going with it's latest effort to crack down on drunk drivers during the holiday weekend with "No Refusal Weekend." Anyone who's suspected of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence will be subject to sobriety test conducted by a nurse that will be drawing blood; should you refuse, you could be facing obstruction charges.

If you're wondering how this is even allowed, Winnebago County State's Attorney, Joe Bruscato, says it's well within legal parameters, "Under Illinois law, when you accept a driver's license, you have given implied consent that upon a proper request by a law enforcement agency that you will supply your breath blood or urine."

Regardless of how you feel about this new policy, never, under any circumstances, should you consider getting behind the wheel if you've been drinking. It's simply not worth it. Additionally, you don't want to suffer the wrath of my friend Jen who's a dispatcher with the Rockford Fire Department; she made it clear on her Facebook page that she's working this weekend so she'll know you're being dumb and she'll judge you.

Please be safe this holiday weekend.