La Porte Police Hosting Fourth of July No-Refusal DWI Patrol Effort

Alcohol is a major factor in serious and fatal auto accidents in Texas.  About 1.6 thousand Texans are killed every year in alcohol-related accidents, and Texas has the most alcohol related fatalities of any state in the nation. 

The La Porte Police Department is hosting a Harris County and region-wide “no-refusal” DWI enforcement program for the July 4^th weekend.  A number of agencies are participating in this effort, including the Baytown Police Department, the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Pasadena Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and more.

What is a “no-refusal” DWI enforcement program?

In Texas, the “no-refusal” DWI (driving while intoxicated) program was created to prevent intoxicated drivers from avoiding the consequences of refusing to submit to a breath test when stopped by a police officer.  Remember, in Texas when you receive a drivers’ license you agree to submit to testing to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drunk drivers have found ways to “work” the system, and by refusing to have a breath test many have avoided conviction – and have gone on to cause drunk driving accidents and deaths.  However, during “no-refusal” weekends police, judges, prosecutors and nurses are all ready and waiting to ensure that warrants are issued for drivers who refuse a breath test so a nurse can perform a blood draw in sterile quarters – and the whole process is videotaped.

The program has been very successful – and hopefully this July 4^th it will make the Harris County and surrounding roads all that much safer from drunk drivers.