The DeKalb Police Department has seen a drop in drunken driving arrests.

From 2006 to 2007, the arrests made for someone driving under the influence decreased by 49 people, from 208 arrests to 159.

The Sycamore Police Department has seen a decreased number of DUI cases from 2006 to 2007 as well, said Sycamore police Lt. Cary Singer.

While DeKalb and Sycamore are seeing decreased alcohol-related driving arrests, the Midwest still has the highest number of alcohol-related incidents in the country.

A study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from 2004 through 2006 shows the Midwest having the most drunk driving incidents in the country.

Although Illinois is not one of the states with the highest drunk driving rates, the study shows that 16.5 percent of Illinois drivers over the age of 18 have driven under the influence, according to www.oas.samhsa.gov.

To explain the local decrease, Singer says people are paying more attention to the law because of the media attention surrounding DUIs, as well as the many DUI patrols on the roads.

“It is treated a lot more seriously than it was 20 years ago,” Singer said.

Mary Gall, region administrator with Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for the Northeast region, said another reason for the decrease could be that Illinois passed the Ignition Interlock Law for first-time offenders (it is already in effect for repeat offenders), which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Gall also said this will further help bring down the drunk driving rates in Illinois.

The Ignition Interlock Law would require all offenders to have an ignition interlock system installed in their car, which is like an alcohol breathalyzer.

Prior to starting a vehicle, the driver must blow into the ignition interlock system. If alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath, the vehicle will not start.

“It is a really positive step,” Gall said. “It allows offenders to drive as long as they are sober.”

Gall is very optimistic that there will be a drop in Illinois DUIs once the law takes effect.

“It’s been shown to work elsewhere,” Gall said, adding New Mexico has lowered their DUI percentages with this law.

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