From Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, the Garland Police Department stepped up its Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) patrols in an effort to keep Garland citizens and visitors safe during the holidays. The additional enforcement was paid for by a state-funded grant from TxDOT known as the Impaired Driving Mobilization grant.
The additional enforcement resulted in four DWI related arrests. During the same time period, Garland’s regular patrols logged an additional 38 Driving While Intoxicated arrests. When adding the patrol arrests for the same 20-day period there were 42 impaired driving-related arrests. Officers working the grant made one additional arrest for an offense unrelated to impaired driving and issued 38 citations.
Additional information:
In Texas, someone is hurt or killed in a vehicular crash involving alcohol approximately every 20 minutes.
The Law on DWI: In Texas, a person is legally intoxicated and may be arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with a .08 BAC (blood or breath alcohol concentration). However, a person is also intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you can be fined up to $500 for having an open alcohol container in a vehicle.
DWI with a child passenger
You can be charged with child endangerment for driving while intoxicated if you’re carrying passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI with a child passenger is punishable by:
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- A fine of up to $10,000
- Up to two years in a state jail
- Loss of your driver’s license for 180 days
Stay safe
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- Don’t drink and drive.
- Designate a driver.
- Call a cab.
- Spend the night where you are, if possible.
Information from TxDot.gov