Texas Holiday Crash Statistics May Lead to Heavier DWI Enforcement

 Posted on December 12, 2021 in Uncategorized

More of us are on the road during the holidays, off to see family and friends. Unfortunately, having more people on the roads means more accidents. More than 40,000 people across the U.S. die in traffic accidents each year, with many of those happening over holidays. And according to a new report from trip Advisor, Texas had more holiday traffic fatalities than any other state from 2015 to 2019. While Texas had the highest number of holiday traffic fatalities, it was fifth on the list of states with the highest number of accidents per capita.

Cracking Down on Texas Highways

When Texas crash and fatality statistics go up, it's a good reminder to all of us to be careful on the roads. But these statistics will also increase law enforcement presence on our highways and interstates and lead to more drunk traps and no refusal weekends. While some increased enforcement may make us safer on the roads, it can also lead to innocent people facing arrest.

No Refusal Weekends

During holiday weekends and large sporting events or festivals, towns across Texas will often hold "no refusal" weekends. During a "no refusal" weekend, police will have a greater presence on Texas roads to crack down on drinking and driving. If the police pull you over during one of these weekends and you refuse a BAC test, the police will have extra prosecutors, a magistrate, and nurses on call. If they have probable cause, the police can obtain a warrant from the on-call magistrate and prosecutors and have a nurse draw a blood sample in a short amount of time.

No refusal weekends were born out of Texas's old "implied consent" law. Until 2014, the police could take a blood sample from you during a DWI stop without your consent. Under Texas law, anyone with a state driver's license was deemed to have given implied consent to chemical testing during a police stop. When the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals ruled that the implied consent law was unconstitutional, law enforcement agencies created the "no refusal" weekend.

Hire an Expert in DWI Defense

If you're facing a DWI charge, this isn't something you should try to handle on your own. You need a skilled DWI lawyer representing you and protecting your rights. Attorney Doug Murphy is an expert in Texas DWI defense, with Board Certifications in Criminal Defense Law and DWI Defense Law. In fact, Doug is one of only two attorneys in the state with board certifications in both these specialties. Doug was also recently named a "Lawyer of the Year" for Houston DWI defense by Best Lawyers in America.

Doug and his team have helped many Texans through DWI charges, protecting their rights, and negotiating successfully on their behalf. They can help you too. Find out why the Houston press calls Doug "the drinking driver's best friend." Call the Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. at 713-229-8333, or contact them online today to schedule your consultation.