HARRIS COUNTY – Several local, county, and state agencies are teaming up to combat drunk driving as the New Year’s weekend gets underway.
Led by Mark Herman with Harris County Constable Pct. 4′s Office and Sean Teare, Chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division, officials say they will not tolerate impaired and reckless driving this holiday weekend.
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Teare said in a news conference that there will be judges, district attorneys, and nurses placed in several areas around Harris County to streamline the booking process for intoxicated drivers caught by officers.
According to TxDOT, Harris County saw 24 DWI crashes that resulted in death or serious bodily injury.
“They don’t have to drive (these suspects) downtown to get a blood test. Officers will take them to a spot where they’ll hand them off to an official and then return back out onto the field,” he said. “These drivers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, because quite frankly, folks, we’re tired.”
Officials are urging residents to have a plan during New Year’s weekend such as the following:
- Have a designated driver
- Request a ride back home with Lyft or Uber or a Taxi
- Have a friend or a family member pick you up
Houston Police, and Texas Department of Public Safety will have their own DWI Task Force out in the field this weekend.