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Drunk Driving on the Rise

Thousands of Law Enforcement Officers Joining Labor Driving Crackdown

HOUSTON – Federal, state and local transportation officials rallied at Texas Southern University Thursday to call attention to the growing problem of drunk driving in Harris County and across the state. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving, local law enforcement and other community leaders to weigh alternatives for combating drunk driving, which is on the rise in Texas.

 Texas continues to lead the nation in drunk driving traffic fatalities. During 2006, 1,354 motorists in Texas died in alcohol-impaired crashes where the driver had a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 or higher—up 34 deaths from the previous year. Despite improvements during 2006, an average of 17 motorists per month died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Harris County.

The meeting precedes the national drunk driving crackdown planned for the two weeks leading up to this year’s Labor Day holiday. TxDOT officials announced today that thousands of state troopers and local law enforcement will be stepping up enforcement of the state’s DWI laws between August 15 and September 1. Last year, 3,979 drunk drivers were arrested during the two-week crackdown, up more than 700 arrests from the prior year. Preliminary data indicates 168 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes in Texas during August and September last year.

“Our Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.'campaign reminds motorists that if they drink and drive this Labor Day holiday, they will get arrested. Our goal is simple: to prevent alcohol-related crashes, which saves lives and prevents injuries,” said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT’s director of traffic operations. “Stay out of trouble and don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.”

 Convicted first-time DWI offenders can pay a fine of up to $2,000, lose their driver’s license for as long as a year, and serve 180 days in jail. Safety officials say other costs associated with a drunk driving arrest and conviction can add up to more than $10,000 for bail, legal fees, court appearances, court-ordered classes and vehicle insurance increases and other expenses.