Police Beef up Patrols on Drunk, Distracted Austin Drivers

EAST AUSTIN, TX - Traffic deaths in Austin in 2015 almost quadrupled the number murders, and now police are cracking down on distracted drivers in hopes of preventing more fatalities.

On Monday there was a crash between two cars that lead to serious injury, and there were two fatal vehicle crashes in Austin on Wednesday morning. Police also have arrested 127 people on DWI charges this holiday season as part of the “No Refusal” initiative.

In addition to the drunk driving campaign, extra patrol cars are working on the “Home for the Holidays” initiative, in which officers that would regularly not be on patrol search for dangerous driving behaviour, KVUE reported. Austin Police have now issued over 5,000 tickets for cell phone use while driving.

Assistant Chief Jason Dusterhoft pulled over one 24-year-old driver that was using his cell phone.

I had my phone on speaker phone in my hand cause I know there’s the whole hands-free ordinance but I assumed as long as you don’t hold it up to your ear, it’ll be fine,” the driver said, KVUE reported.

The officer clarified that you can be on speakerphone while driving, but cannot have the phone in your hand.

“This ordinance has really helped us make sure that people are paying attention,” Dusterhoft told KVUE.

Home for the Holidays ends after the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, and No Refusal ends Jan. 3 at 9 p.m.