The city of Arlington is on its way to a historic high in driving-while-intoxicated fatalities.
Arlington police are increasing their commitment to their annual DWI Task Force campaign — deploying more officers, conducting more checks at bars, and implementing a no-refusal policy.
Under the no-refusal policy, drivers stopped on suspicion of DWI are required to blow into a Breathalyzer or be served with a search warrant to obtain a blood sample.
A staggering number — 33 people — have been killed in drunken-driving crashes in Arlington already this year.
As I often have to say here, what is going on out there?
In the campaign’s first week, police have made 34 bar checks, eight blood search warrants, 31 DWI arrests and five public intoxication arrests.
“Every arrest we make out there, we’re saving two lives,” Officer Stacie Brown said. “We’re saving those from the [drunken] driver, but we’re also saving that [drunken] driver’s life, too.”
She also said prevention is a critical component of the fight against drunken driving. Prevention can be accomplished through education, she said.
The task force is scheduled to run through January 1st.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a vehicle collision involving a drunk driver, call me today at 817-885-8000 for a free consultation.