The Garland Police Department will step up Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) patrols run Friday, June 24 through Sunday, July 10.
The increased DWI patrols are for an Impaired Driver Mobilization (IDM) project. It is funded through a TXDOT program that targets DWI along with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) by Minors. Patrols will be active at night and utilize marked and unmarked police cars.
Officers will apply for blood search warrants for drivers who refuse to give a specimen of their breath or blood when arrested.
Convicted first-time DWI offenders can pay a fine up to $2,000, lose their license for a year and serve 180 days in jail. Safety officials say other costs associated with an impaired driving arrest and conviction can add up. Costs could exceed $17,000 for bail, legal fees, court appearances, court-ordered classes, insurance increases and other expenses.
Also, you could face child endangerment charges for driving drunk with a child passenger under 15. Additionally, you could be fined up to $10,000, spend two years in jail and lose your license for another 180 days.
Consequences
In Texas, someone is hurt or killed in a vehicular crash involving alcohol approximately every 20 minutes.
The Law on DWI in Texas states that 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). A person is also intoxicated if impaired due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. Whether you are the driver or passenger, you can be fined up to $500 for having an open alcohol container in a vehicle.
In 2020, 958 people were killed in vehicle traffic crashes where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. This is 25% of the total number of people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Help end the streak!