Although few statistics for the number of alleged drunk people caught driving throughout the New Year’s weekend were available, numbers show fewer are getting arrested.

And whether it’s awareness – one sign on Route 13 says, "You just blew $10,000" – or the fear of arrest, job loss and great expense, the numbers are dropping.

In 2011, there were 50,413 DUI arrests in Pennsylvania. In 2010, there were more than 52,000.

New Year’s Day is the deadliest day of the year for alcohol-related fatal crashes. In Pennsylvania in 2011, 41% of New Year’s holiday weekend traffic deaths were alcohol-related. That’s in contrast to 33% for the entire year.

Complete state police and municipal DUI arrest statistics for the holiday for Bucks and Montgomery counties were not yet available. Statewide, state police said they made 285 drunken driving arrests statewide and issued 3,408 speeding tickets.

Tyler Tomlinson is a Shareholder in Stark & Stark’s Yardley, PA office, concentrating in Accident & Personal Injury Law. For more information, please contact Mr. Tomlinson.