AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Its been close to 5 years now since Randall County implemented blood testing for DWI arrests, but how effective has that policy been? When blood testing for DWI's first got started a lot of people had their
doubts. Now, just 5 years later Randall County officials say they're thrilled they made that decision, and can't believe how big of a difference it's made.
This is how it works. If an officer pulls a person over he thinks is intoxicated, and the driver refuses to take a breathalizer, the officer can get a search warrant and take that person in for a blood test immediately. Randall County DA James Farren says it's just like how they handle a sexual assault or burglary case. He says it makes it easier for them to convict the suspects, and he loves how simple and straight forward
it is.
" It's even more effective than a breath test. It's very difficult for the defense to attack if it's done correctly. It's a great tool for law enforcement, and it keeps drivers off the road who shouldn't be driving because they're impaired."
Randall county only uses this for 10% of its DWI cases, but it's seen a big increase in its conviction rate since putting in this policy.
