‘No refusal’ will last a week in North Texas
North Texas drivers may want to enjoy their eggnog without the rum for the next week.
Instead of a “no-refusal weekend,” as on other holidays, law enforcement agencies in Tarrant County are participating in an entire week during which suspected drunken drivers who refuse to take breath tests will be required to submit to a blood draw.
The anti-DWI campaign began Wednesday night and continues until 5:30 a.m. Jan. 2. Police officers will use search warrants to draw blood from suspected drunken drivers, according to the Tarrant County district attorney’s office.
“The best gift you can give anyone this holiday season is to not drink and drive,” Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert said in a prepared statement. “Dead or incarcerated is a terrible way to bring in the New Year.”
Just last week, a woman was killed and seven other people were injured when a suspected drunken driver hit a freeway barrier on the newly constructed North Tarrant Express and their vehicle overturned and caught fire, police said.
The group was driving back to Dallas from a graduation party in Fort Worth, Bedford Police Lt. David Smith said of the wreck.
The driver faces charges of intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault and driving while intoxicated.
Christmas and New Year’s Day are among nine holidays and special events designated “no refusal” in Tarrant County. The push is funded by a $311,933 grant that covers the cost of nurses and technicians who draw the blood, the supplies and laboratory analysis.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers go with whatever the district attorney of a particular county asks, and that varies from county to county, said Sgt. Lonny Haschel, a DPS spokesman.
However, the DPS does increase DWI patrols from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2. Troopers focus on high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent.
During the same period last year, DPS troopers made 1,505 DWI arrests statewide. They also handed out almost 25,000 speeding citations and made hundreds of arrests.
In Tarrant County, those arrested and charged with DWI during a no-refusal weekend will have their names and ages published on the district attorney’s website.
Monica S. Nagy, 817-390-7792
Travel safety tips
▪ Don’t drink and drive. Designate a driver or take a cab.
▪ Don’t drive tired.
▪ Slow down, especially during bad weather, in construction areas and in heavy traffic.
▪ Drive defensively.
▪ Eliminate distractions such as cellphones while driving.
▪ Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
▪ Slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS and Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks that are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated — it’s the law.
▪ Double check to make sure your vehicle is safe and properly maintained.
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety
This story was originally published December 26, 2014 at 8:51 AM with the headline "‘No refusal’ will last a week in North Texas."