With the approach of New Year’s Eve, there’s at least one cause for celebration despite the tough economic times.

Maryland has seen a decline in arrests for driving under the influence since the start of the Great Recession. Experts believe a combination of factors -- from consistent enforcement to economic worries that are keeping people from spending in bars and restaurants -- may be responsible.

In 2007, when the recession officially began in November, Maryland saw 24,909 arrests for driving under the influence. Since then, there were 24,380 DUI arrests in 2008, 24,422 in 2009, 22,614 in 2010, and 16,763 through the end of September this year.

Tough DUI laws passed in 2006, along with strict enforcement and public service warnings of the dangers, are probably leading reasons for a decrease in Maryland and nationally, said Ragina Averella, a spokeswoman for AAA of the Mid-Atlantic, an automobile drivers advocacy group that serves Maryland.

In 2006, state legislators stiffened Maryland’s law regarding ignition interlocks to allow judges to impose their use for up to three years.

“There’s been basically a key change in attitude,” Averella said. “I don’t think the public is willing to tolerate drunk driving anymore. They don’t see it as a social issue; they see it as a crime.”

The economy also has cut into trips to drinking establishments, said Caroline Cash, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Maryland.

Studies have shown nationally that drinking has declined somewhat because people have less money to spend on alcohol, she said.

Plus, Cash added, “It’s clearly more expensive to drink out in a restaurant. So if they’re drinking at home we’re pleased they’re not driving, and it would explain why the arrest numbers have fallen some.”

Another likely factor for the decrease in incidents is that after 31 years of MADD pushing an anti-drinking and driving message, people might finally be listening, she said.

“I hope that’s the case, but I don’t know if that will be true once the economy comes back around,” Cash said. “We continue to get the word out.”

Maryland State Police spokeswoman Elena Russo agreed that years of educational outreach and public service announcements by law enforcement authorities and advocates might be achieving their goal of getting people to refrain from drinking and driving

“Maybe the messages we’ve been sending are working, finally,” she said.

Enforcement efforts have remained constant over the years of the recession, so manpower or a slacking off in going after drunken drivers can’t be reasons for fewer arrests, Russo said.

For many, New Year’s Eve and the holidays remain a time to overindulge in alcohol.

But, they’re also when more people are aware of the importance of picking a designated driver or taking a taxi, Cash and Russo said.

cford@gazette.net