Drawing blood from a suspected drunken driver who refused a breath test used to be a unique way for authorities to get their evidence.
Then word got around."What at one time was very, very uncommon has now become very common," said Dalworthington Gardens Police Chief Bill Waybourn, whose department began using the technique in 2005 and was the first in the state to train its officers to draw DWI suspects' blood.During the upcoming July Fourth weekend, more than 215 law enforcement agencies have committed to participating in the "No Refusal" campaign, marking the first time that the program is being collectively implemented statewide. Simply put: If you drink and drive and refuse to blow into a Breathalyzer this weekend, authorities will obtain a search warrant and draw your blood."We asked our brethren to step forward and stand with us," Waybourn said. "Literally, from Dalhart to Brownsville and El Paso to Texarkana and everywhere in between, 'No Refusal' is up and running."The Fourth of July weekend is the deadliest holiday for alcohol-related crashes in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.During a news conference Wednesday morning at the Tarrant County district attorney's office in Fort Worth, officials from various agencies stood behind the lectern in a united front against drinking and driving. Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert, an expert in the prosecution of DWI cases who is considered a leader in the "No Refusal" initiative, said the program has worked in the past, deterring individuals who might otherwise ignore the risks and drive drunk. On the weekends when the initiative was in place, Tarrant County has had a zero traffic fatality rate, he said."It is the belief of this office ... that you should have the right to travel the streets of Texas without being killed, unmolested by drunk drivers," Alpert said. "The message that this office sends out there, with the help of our law enforcement, is that from Friday through Monday, if you [are drunk and] operate a motor vehicle in Tarrant County, or anywhere in this state, you will be apprehended, you will not have an option whether to give up the evidence, you will not be able to hide it, and you will be held accountable."Tarrant County District Attorney Joe Shannon said the "No Refusal" initiative applies not only to Texas' roadways, but also to the waterways, pointing out that the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife is committed to the program."There are a lot of people who, for some reason or another, combine beer and boats," Shannon said. "Our Parks and Wildlife people are going to be heavy-duty on patrol this weekend. We want everyone to have a good time and to celebrate the birth of our country, but do it in such a way that no harm befalls them or their families or anybody else that they happen to be around."Melody McDonald, 817-390-7386Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
