You probably read or heard that alcohol consumption is on the rise during these tough economic times.

Here's a consequence of more alcohol sales: Pennsylvania State Police arrested 16,156 people for driving under the influence in 2008, a 3 percent increase over the number arrested for DUI in 2007.

Last year's total arrests is the highest for a single year in the department's history, State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said.

State police won't say this, but it doesn't help that Pennsylvania is actively promoting alcohol sales to increase state tax revenues from the monopoly state store system.

PA Troopers Make Record Number of DUI Arrests