“We want you to make good decisions, but we’re going to be out there protecting our neighborhoods and our people,” Harris Co. Pct. 4 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Law enforcement across the Houston area is sending a clear message about drinking and driving as we head into New Year’s Eve.
From the Texas Department of Transportation to local DWI patrols and no-refusal enforcement, the common threat is prevention. Officials said this is about keeping people alive and making sure everyone gets home safely.
TxDOT said drunk driving is a year-round problem in Texas, but it spikes during the holidays. During last year’s holiday season, more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes were reported statewide, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of serious injuries. As a part of its “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign, TxDOT is urging Texans to plan ahead.
In the Houston area, law enforcement agencies across the region say they’ll have extra patrols on the roads and, in some cases, a “no refusal” weekend. That means drivers suspected of impaired driving can be required to provide a blood sample through quickly obtained search warrants.
Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said his office alone will have about 150 deputies patrolling North Harris County during the New Year’s holiday period.
Officials stress that most of the tragedies they see this time of year are preventable. They said the decision to plan a safe ride home can make all the difference.
“We want you to stay safe. We want you to make good decisions, but we’re going to be out there protecting our neighborhoods and our people,” said Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Tom Ramsey.
According to Ramsey, more than 500 people died on Harris County Roads last year — some in preventable crashes — which is why officials say planning ahead matters, especially in the age of ridesharing apps.
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