Why not make the game follow the official rules of checkers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_draughts
"If, during 25 moves, there were only king movements, without piece movements or jumps, the game is considered a draw."
So in order to follow this correctly, the draw count must reset to zero any time a non-crowned piece moves, or any time there is a jump. These things indicate that the game is "progressing".
After 25 moves of each player with no progression, it makes sense for there to be a draw. If there is a stronger position, that person would have "advanced" the game within 25 moves. Otherwise, the weaker position deserves the draw due to incompetence of the player in the stronger position.