This holiday season, the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) and Austin Police Department (APD) are reminding you to drive safe and drive sober.
A recent analysis from Vision Zero shows that 81% of drivers killed in Austin within Travis County tested positive for drugs or had a Blood Alcohol Content over the legal limit. To reduce the number of people injured or killed in crashes involving impaired drivers, No Refusal will take place every night between December 14 and January 1.
The No Refusal Initiative allows officers to obtain blood search warrants during certain hours when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test. During the year, this initiative typically occurs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Austinites can visit the City’s Know Before You Go, Get Home Safe webpage to learn more about alternatives to driving under the influence, including transit options, taxicabs, ride-sharing and the Responsible Ride Home program.
There have been 79 deaths and 414 serious injuries on Austin’s roadways in 2023 through November 23. You can find more information on crash data at the Vision Zero Viewer and learn more about Vision Zero on the City’s website.
Original source can be found here.