Austin Police Launch 'No Refusal' DWI Initiative Through SXSW, Spring Break

AUSTIN, TX — One of the year's longest "No Refusal" law enforcement initiatives — enabling police to have blood drawn from motorists declining to be tested for drunkenness — kicked off on Friday and will continue through March 20.

The effort is designed to curb drunk driving during the Spring Break period and during SXSW, police said. Typically, such efforts are weekend-long initiatives taking place during Super Bowl weekend or the days leading up to the Fourth of July period of New Year's Eve periods of time. Given the bolstered levels of traffic during that will coincide during Spring Break/SXSW, this "No Refusal" period will be more amplified.

The effort will be in effect each day from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, police said.

"This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions, and to apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood specimen as required by law," police explained in a press release.

The main aim, police stressed, is to prevent loss of life: "The Austin Police Department is continuously focused on preventing lives from being lost on the streets, highways and waterways of Austin," police said. "This initiative is to remind everyone that their area law enforcement agencies encourage them to make the responsible choice not to drive if they are impaired in any way. Know before you go, get home safe. The Department is dedicated to making the roadways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement."

For those intent on celebrating either event — and there's nothing wrong with celebrating life's milestones with friends and family — it's strongly advised to plan ahead. Steps that can be taken to avoid being pulled over (an enhanced likelihood given bolstered police patrols during such undertakings) include designating a sober driver ahead of time or finding alternatives forms of transportation, such as public transit, taxi or ride-share service.

The scourge of drunk driving is something of an epidemic, not just statewide but nationally. In Texas, someone is injured or killed in an alcohol-involved accident every 20 minutes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Even short of harming oneself or (God forbid) other people, the cost associated with driving drunk in Texas is considerable. Texas Department of Transportation officials break down the financial cost, which increases incrementally depending on the frequency of arrest per DWI infraction.

First Offense

• A fine of up to $2,000
• Three days to 180 days in jail
• Loss of driver license up to a year
• Annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver license

Second Offense*

• A fine of up to $4,000
• One month to a year in jail
• Loss of driver license up to two years
• Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver license

Third Offense*

• A $10,000 fine
• Two to 10 years in prison
• Loss of driver license up to two years
• Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 for three years to retain driver license

*After two or more DWI convictions in five years, motorists are forced to install a special ignition switch that prevents a vehicle from being operated if the driver's been drinking.

The penalties for people driving drunk with a child under the age of 15 in the car are exponentially more severe: A fine of up to $10,000, up to two years in jail and the loss of the motorist's driver's license for 180 days.

Recap: It's simply not worth it to drive drunk. After each "No Refusal" period, the magistrate's court is filled with offenders, many of them first-time violators mixed into holding cells with people accused of similar offenses or more severe ones including assault or domestic abuse. Mostly men in such gatherings, the occasional woman is seen among the crowd of those detained — more than likely a young woman who took the odds, perhaps thinking she only had a short distance to get home only to wind up overnight in detention waiting for a magistrate judge to assess the penalties.

In short, it's an ugly, humiliating and costly business as those who've gone through the process will attest. It's simply not worth it.

As mentioned before, it's best to explore other options in getting to and from celebrations. Increasingly, many people are willing to volunteer as designated drivers — folks who don't drink but still want to be involved in group gatherings with a keen interest in seeing their friends get home safe. The city's mass transit system, Cap Metro, is worth exploring given its array of routes to and from destinations.

There are also many ride-sharing companies operating in Austin, some of them offering patrons their first ride with them free just for trying out the service. Even though Uber and Lyft left the market after a dispute with the city over a disagreement over fingerprint security checks for drivers, there are other firms offering ride share in Austin: Fasten, Get Me, InstaRyde, Ride Austin, Wingz, zTrip and more.

CultureMap Austin compiled a useful guide to the various ride-sharing services, which explains fare information and range in great detail. Click here to explore those options.

With so many ride-sharing firms popping up since the exodus of Uber and Lyft, a streamlined, interactive website has emerged that shows instantly the ride services available in your area, with estimated fares included. Check it out at RideFinder.io by clicking here.

Or you could go old school and arrange for a cab. The advent of ride-sharing has overshadowed the option of taking a taxi, but the services aren't the outdated and costlier mode of transportation some people have painted them to be. Taxi fares are actually competitive with those of ride-sharing, and their drivers are invariably experienced individuals who have been driving cabs for years. Some of the taxi companies have upgraded their technology with time, enabling customers to order a car via app. Click here to find taxis in your area with fare estimates.

So please be safe! Celebrate with friends and family, but make sure you, your friends loved ones are all safe and sound at the end of the night. Arrive alive.

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