“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.<\/p>\n
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas \u2014 Law enforcement across the Houston area is sending a clear message about drinking and driving as we head into New Year’s Eve.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said his office alone will have about 150 deputies patrolling North Harris County during the New Year\u2019s holiday period.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n