Police officers say it's another weapon in the fight against drunk driving. Tennessee's "No Refusal" law takes the fight to impaired drivers.
"We can obtain a search warrant for forcibly withdrawing the blood from the suspect. We have judges and D.A.s on stand by during these weekends. They sign the warrant then we can forcibly take the blood from the suspect," says Sgt. Alan Bailey with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The law only applies to repeat DUI offenders, not to first time violators.
"They must have a prior DUI or a history for a DUI on file with us. With a no refusal it's any time on their history regardless of whether it's 20 or 30 years ago. The law wouldn't apply to you if you don't have a prior history and we would actually offer you either the breathalyzer test or the blood withdrawal test and if you refuse then we would charge you with implied consent."
Law enforcement officials say they prepare with extra manpower on No Refusal weekends to ensure there won't be fewer officers on the road.
"It may take a little bit more time on the no refusal for that individual trooper or officer but as far as more time and less man power or having to provide more man power I don't think so. We are just making a special emphasis on this no refusal weekend."
In light of this year's tragic fatality numbers, it's an emphasis that may be needed.
"We had one thousand and two fatalities, last year at this time we had 930 fatalities so we are basically 70 fatalities up from last year. Last Year was a record breaking year for Tennessee. If you are going to get out and drink and drive then like the commercial says, we are going to find a backseat for you."
