Austin Police Made More Than 200 DWI Arrests Over Holidays

AUSTIN, TX — Police busted more than 200 people for drunk driving over the holidays, including a handful of intoxicated motorists caught with children in their vehicles.

On Tuesday, police released information related to arrests made during the 2017 Christmas/New Year's "no refusal" initiative, which compels motorists unwilling to submit to inebriation tests to a forced blood draw. Police have bolstered efforts to crack down on drunk drivers through such "no refusal" periods, which are now implemented each weekend rather than just during holidays associated with higher levels of intoxication.

With bench warrants from municipal judges, police are able to secure a search warrant on the spot during such implementation periods, enabling them to draw blood from drivers refusing to be tested for intoxication.

The holiday version of the crackdown took place from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day. All told, 210 arrests were made for DWI offenses. Police provided a more detailed breakdown on those arrests:

• Blood Search Warrants: 95
• Consent Breath Samples: 71
• Consent Blood Samples: 44

Of those arrests, the following number had enhanced DWI charges:

• Class A misdemeanor DWI (with prior conviction) = 21
• Class A misdemeanor (breath sample over .15) = 26
• Felony DWI (2 or more prior convictions) = 21
• Felony DWI Child Passenger = 3

"The Austin Police Department continues to focus on preventing deaths on our streets, highways and waterways," police said in their advisory. "The Department is dedicated to making the roadways and waterways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement."

In an earlier press advisory announcing the initiative's launch, Lt. Blake Johnson explained the aim: “No Refusal is not about making as many arrests as we can,” the officer with APD’s Highway Enforcement Unit said. "It’s about keeping unsafe drivers off Austin roadways and keeping the public safe. No Refusal ensures that we have solid blood alcohol content evidence of every arrest and as such enhances our ability to prosecute people who drive drunk and put others in danger.”

The holidays are often associated with parties and gatherings where alcohol is present, officials noted. As a result, the "no refusal" initiative reminds everyone that area law enforcement agencies encourage them to make the responsible choice not to drive if they are impaired in any way.

The APD urges motorists to Know before you go, get home safe. "APD is focused on saving lives in the Austin metropolitan area and making roadways safe through education and enforcement," officials said.

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