Police departments across Texas will have extra manpower on the streets Tuesday night to deter drunk driving over New Year's Eve. Many are running "no refusal" periods where judges are on call to issue warrants for blood draws when police stop a driver they suspect may have been drinking.
The Texas Department of Transportation says 1,090 people died in wrecks where a driver was under the influence throughout 2023, representing about 25% of all crashes.
Dallas County has run a DWI task force the past 40 years.
"The message is not only about education and awareness but also we cannot stay silent," says Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia, who chairs the task force.
Garcia says alcohol was a factor in 2,113 crashes in Dallas County last year. The county ranks second, behind Harris, in the number of deaths attributed to DWI.
"It's a choice. Drinking is a choice, and if you're going to drink, don't drive," she says.
The organization, 24HourDallas, says 39 businesses have signed up to post a QR code offering a five dollar discount on Lyft rides. The group's Bryan Tony says businesses open after 6 p.m. have a $15 billion economic impact and support 211,000 jobs.
"Especially during the holidays, we want to make sure our businesses displaying this poster and on coasters as well will be giving discounted rides to consumers so if they do decide to drink, they also decide not to drive," he says.
Tony says the group has worked with more than 100 businesses to improve safety; those businesses will display a copper star.
In Tarrant County, the district attorney says 47 people were arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated over New Year's last year. Throughout 2023, Phil Sorrells says 5,953 DWI cases were filed.
"Let's get that number to zero," Sorrells wrote in a statement. "There are no excuses for getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol."
MADD is launching its "What Alcohol Says" campaign to urge people to decide before going to a party if someone will stay sober as the designated driver, or if they will use rideshare.
"Take charge of your holiday safety by planning ahead for transportation during the holidays," says MADD's Emma Dugas.
Rosaria Saenz' daughter was killed by a drunk driver.
"Her dad will never walk her down the aisle or help her fix her future house like they would talk about," she says. "All these future memories were robbed from us."
The task force's Garcia says "What Alcohol Says" aims to show people they have access to alternatives besides driving. She says they also want to show that police will have additional manpower for enforcement.
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