NO REFUSAL WEEKEND TEXAS

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/police-announce-no-refusal-weekend
Police announce No Refusal Weekend Initiative comes during biker rally in Austin


 Updated: Thursday, 09 Jun 2011, 10:27 PM CDT Published : Thursday, 09 Jun 2011, 8:09 PM CDT
Doug Shupe AUSTIN (KXAN) - Police are trying to prevent these dangerous motorcycle accidents from happening at this year's Republic of Texas Rally.
44,000 bikers are expected in town this weekend. 6th Street is already a destination for many of them.
In addition to increased enforcement, officers are also talking with event organizers and sending a message to bikers and motorists alike.
And for the first time ever during the rally--police say if they think you're drunk they'll take your blood. You won't have the option of refusing.
Les Patton and Sandy Callaham came from Norman Oklahoma for ROT Rally.
"Great time, great place, just a mini vacation for us," said Patton.
"Yeah, four years in a row. It's the best," said Callaham.
But in the midst of all the fun--there is a danger.
During last year's motorcycle weekend--three bikers died in just three days.
"This is something that we want to stop," said APD Commander Jason Dusterhoft.
Police announced a No Refusal weekend from 9 pm to 5 am both Friday and Saturday nights.
"This means if you refuse our test and we believe you are intoxicated or impaired we will take you to jail, you will go to the front of the line, we will take your blood, and you will stay in jail," said Commander Dusterhoft.
"I don't think that's a bad thing at all," said Patton.
Patton and Callaham have lost biker friends to crashes.
"We don't need anymore fatalities, it's too much, it's too much," said Callaham.
The Oklahoma couple say they play it safe.
"You got to be safe so we have a few beers, but try to keep it downtown and walk to the hotel or whatever," said Patton.
They hope others do as well---and have a message for the drivers who share the road with them.
"Look twice, look both ways--just keep an eye out, especially at night," said Callaham.
A caution echoed by law enforcement.
"Look twice, save a life. That's one of the biggest things we can make sure everyone is aware of the bikers, look in your blind spots, take a little bit of extra time. We don't want anymore collisions," said Dusterhoft.
Police say 14 percent of fatalities on the roadways are motorcycle related.
They said that trend is actually on the decline, but they want to get the number even lower.
On another note--officers said thieves target rallies like the one this weekend, so they remind bikers to lock their ignition and remove the key to prevent thefts.