Drunk driving accidents kill more than 10,000 road users in Texas and around the country each year, and a disproportionate number of them take place during the holiday season. Thousands of people in the Lone Star state will attend Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations in the coming weeks, and many of them will get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. With this in mind, the Watch UR BAC Program, which is organized by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is joining forces with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch a campaign that will warn holiday season motorists about the dangers of drunk driving.
Buzzed driving
One of the campaign’s core messages will remind holiday revelers that even one drink can impair an individual’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. It encourages those who plan to attend holiday parties to appoint a designated driver or use taxis or ride-share services to get home. The campaign also warns motorists of the legal consequences of a drunk driving arrest.
Law enforcement crackdowns
In addition to public service announcements, drivers in Texas can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence during the holiday period. Police departments in the state will seek to deter impaired driving by increasing the number of patrols and traffic stops.
Drunk driving defense
The Drunk driving penalties in Texas are often severe, but experienced criminal defense attorneys may argue that a more lenient approach should be taken when drivers were not involved in an accident and have no prior drunk driving arrests. Attorneys could also seek to have DWI charges dismissed if police officers did not have probable cause to initiate traffic stops or breath tests were conducted using poorly maintained equipment.
