Evaluating the Effectiveness of “No Refusal” Blood Draw Search Warrant Programs to Reduce Alcohol-Related Traffic Crashes in Central Texas

Abstract

Alcohol-related traffic crashes cause thousands of deaths a year in the United States. Many types of enforcement approaches have been used by law enforcement agencies to decrease the amount of injuries and deaths caused by intoxicated drivers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the "no refusal" blood draw programs used by law enforcement agencies in the Capital Area Council of Governments and the Alamo Area Council of Governments of central Texas. The study area covers twenty-three counties that are served by more than 120 municipal, county, and other law enforcement agencies. A difference-indifferences method was applied to analyze the alcohol-related crash rates before and after the no refusal program. Statistically significant reductions in the alcohol-related crash rate after the adoption of no refusal programs were revealed, suggesting the effectiveness of the program in reducing alcohol-related traffic crashes.