Police Net 50 Drunk Drivers In Austin During Super Bowl-Timed 'No Refusal' Weekend

AUSTIN, TX — Police made 50 arrests for drunk driving during last weekend's "no refusal" initiative amid Super Bowl festivities, an effort during which forced blood draws for those not volunteering samples were allowed via bench warrants from municipal judges.

Among offenders netted during the bolstered patrols were 19 motorists who consented to being tested for intoxication via breathalyzer. Five others agreed to having a blood sample drawn. The majority, 26 motorists, did not consent and were determined to be drunk after on-the-spot blood search warrants were given.

Of the 50 arrests, one drew a felony DWI charge given that a child was in the car at the time, police said. A pair of motorists also were charged with felonious DWIs because they had two or more offenses. Six people were charged with a Class A misdemeanor after they registered a blood alcohol content of higher than the .15 allowable limit, police said.

The number of people arrested for drunk driving during this year's "no refusal" effort timed during the Super Bowl weekend was 17 greater than last year's version, when 33 people were busted, police said.

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