APD To Crack Down on Drunk Drivers During Spring Break

Type of Report

Official Statement From the APD on Spring Break DWI Enforcement

Summary of the Accident

The Spring Break season is a time for fun and relaxation, but it can also be a time for danger and tragedy if people choose to drink and drive. That’s why the Austin Police Department (APD) is launching two initiatives to deter drunk driving and save lives on Austin’s streets.

The first initiative, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will run from March 3rd to March 19th. It will involve more officers on the street making traffic stops and looking for signs of impairment. The officers will also educate drivers about the risks and consequences of drunk driving.

The second initiative, which will run each night from March 9th to March 19th, will enforce a ‘No Refusal’ policy for DWI arrests. This means that officers will apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood sample as required by law. The warrants will allow officers to obtain evidence of intoxication and hold drivers accountable.

The APD and the City of Austin Transportation Department are committed to preventing deaths on Austin’s roads, highways, and waterways. They urge drivers to make responsible decisions and avoid drinking and driving. They also encourage drivers to use alternative transportation options such as taxis, ride-sharing services, buses, or designated drivers.

Below, we’ve provided several statistics pertaining to DUI accidents and fatalities in Austin:

• From 2012 to 2021 in Texas, over 37% of traffic deaths involved impaired drivers.
• In 2017, Austin had 32 DUI fatalities out of a total of 76 traffic fatalities.
• In 2016, Austin had 5,461 DUI arrests out of a total of 65,609 arrests in Texas.
• In 2015, Austin had a DUI arrest rate of 0.67 per 1,000 residents.
• DUI fatalities in Austin are the highest among males aged 19-32.
• Over 85% of DUI arrests happened on weekends from 2-3 a.m.
• The Texas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety describes the average characteristics of a fatality-related DUI case as follows:
  • Age: 22
  • Gender: Male
  • Time: 2:30 a.m.
  • Day: Sunday
  • Road Type: Rural

Have you or someone you love been injured or killed in an auto accident?

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries or fatalities for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or other road users. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed by a drunk driver in Austin, contact the experienced attorneys at SJ Law in Austin, Texas. They can help you get the attention and compensation you deserve.

Contact an attorney