Austin 'No Refusal' Effort Aims To Curb Drunk Driving

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department Labor Day No-Refusal Initiative is in effect until Monday, Sept. 2, as a way of cracking down on drunk driving.

Possible through assistance from the City of Austin Transportation Department, the initiative began on Thursday, Aug. 29 and will run through Monday, Sept. 2. The hours of the initiative are between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day.

By "no refusal," police mean they will be able to secure bench warrants to draw blood from drivers unwilling to voluntarily be tested for sobriety.

"This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions, and to apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood specimen as required by law," police wrote in a press advisory.

"The Austin Police Department and the City of Austin Transportation Department are continuously focused on preventing lives from being lost on the streets, highways and waterways of Austin," police added. "The department is dedicated to making roadways and waterways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement. There is no excuse to drink and drive! Plan a safe ride home."