Tarrant County’s extra DWI enforcement begins Friday
Tarrant County law enforcement agencies are helping each other crack down on drunken drivers during the three-day holiday weekend.
Under the “no refusal” program, drivers stopped on suspicion of drunken driving who refuse to take a routine breath test will be required to submit to a court-ordered blood test.
“Every day in the U.S., 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes — that’s more than 10,000 Americans each year,” District Attorney Sharen Wilson said in a news release. “In Tarrant County we have a zero tolerance policy; if you choose to get behind the wheel of a potentially deadly weapon and drive under the influence this Fourth of July, you just may forfeit your independence.”
Sheriff’s deputies and police officers from cities in Tarrant County will patrol starting Friday night with access to expedited warrants and centralized blood-draw locations. The initiative ends at 5:30 a.m. Monday.
“We support ‘no refusal’ because we believe the citizens of Tarrant County should be able to travel our roadways this holiday weekend without putting their lives at risk,” said prosecutor Richard Alpert. “Ending up dead or in jail is a poor way to celebrate our country’s independence.”
The Dallas police department’s no refusal initiative runs from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Monday.
Mitch Mitchell, 817-390-7752
Stay sober and free
▪ Designate a driver before the party.
▪ Program your phone with numbers for cab companies, ride services, or for a friend or family member.
▪ If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver, and make sure guests leave with a sober driver.
▪ Don’t let friends or loved ones drive if they’ve been drinking — take away their keys.
▪ Report impaired drivers by calling 911.
Source: Tarrant County district attorney’s office
This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 11:06 AM with the headline "Tarrant County’s extra DWI enforcement begins Friday."