Despite Texans' talk about individual rights, the Lone Star State isn't afraid to take them away when it wants to. Case in point: get pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence in certain Texas counties, and the police will take your blood whether you like it or not.
It's called the "No Refusal" program, and it's designed to "streamline the blood drawing process" -- something it does quite well. If you're pulled over and accused of driving while intoxicated, the police take you downtown and ask you, on videotape, to take a breathalyzer test. They don't tell you that if you refuse, a nurse -- or sometimes, the police themselves -- will take your blood anyway, getting a warrant from a judge who is on call specifically for the purpose, and using whatever force is required.
Of course, we're all for getting drunk drivers off the roads, and the question of civil liberties vs. safe roads does not have an easy answer. The program will be in force again over New Year's, so everyone, everywhere -- not just in Texas -- have a safe holiday.
[Source: The Newspaper]
