Austin Police Undertake 'No Refusal' Effort During ACL Fest

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department is conducting an Austin City Limits Music Festival "no refusal initiative" during the concert series' run, meaning they will be able to draw blood to test drivers for drunkenness even if people decline to be tested.

The DWI crackdown is being conducted with assistance from the City of Austin Transportation Department, police said in a press advisory. The effort began on Thursday, Oct. 3, and will run through Sunday, Oct. 6. Then, police will repeat the process for the second week of ACL Fest from Thursday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 13.

The hours of the initiative are from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each cycle of the initiative. The aim, police said, is "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."

To draw blood from unwilling drivers, police are able to secure so-called bench warrants from municipal judges on standby. This allows police to conduct forced blood draws from uncooperative drivers.

"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 said. "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!"

Related story: Austin City Limits Festival Road Closures Guide

The cost of driving drunk can be high, with thousands of dollars in fines assessed along with driver's license suspension. Worse than that, one can be killed in a collision and/or kill others in the process. It's simply not worth the risk.

On the event website, ACL Fest officials suggest using rideshares to get home safely. "City streets are congested and parking near ACL Fest is limited. To ensure you’re getting to and from the festival easily and safely, opt for rideshares to get around town. Use Uber so your group can easily get to and from the fest with dedicated pick-up and drop-off points. For larger groups, hail an UberXL which can fit up to six riders."

Public transportation is another safe — and exceedingly cheap — option. A one-way fare on any city bus (even those long red ones with what looks like an accordion in the middle) is just $1.25. If you go for the day pass, it's only $2.50, and you can use it again and again for 24 hours.

More bus information:

• The official ACL shuttle will operate from Republic Square on both weekends, offering free rides to Zilker Park and the festival. Shuttle service starts at noon on both Fridays and at 11 a.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays. The final shuttle returns from the park at 11 p.m. each day of the festival.
• Concert goers also can use Capital Metro as a mode of transportation. For a direct route from north or south, the 803 MetroRapid to Barton Springs Station is recommended before traveling west on Barton Springs Road to Zilker Park.
• Routes 801 MetroRapid, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 20 are another option, dropping off riders off within a block of the shuttle site at Republic Square downtown. The routes will operate throughout the festival's run. Be advised that MetroRail is temporarily not running on the weekends. For more information, visit Cap Metro here.
• For more bus information and schedules, visit www.capmetro.org. For additional parking information, visit austintexas.gov/page/parking-spots-downtown.

Try a pedicab!

Pedicabs can be hailed downtown, with the pickup/drop-off area is on the northeast corner of Barton Springs Road and Azie Morton Road in close proximity to the festival entrance. Take one if you live close to ground zero of the massive festival or to where you can take a bus or cab back home. Have you ever gone on one? They're fun! You and your buds could split the cost if you go in a group.