If you are planning to celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, make sure that you have a sober driver, as the Austin-area may have its no refusal initiative in effect. ![Photo of keys and drink](/files/2014/05/drunk-driving-car-accidents.jpg" "Photo of keys and drink")
The initiative allows the Austin Police Department to conduct blood draw search warrants on suspects who refuse to give breath specimens if they are pulled over and suspected of drunk driving. Drivers whose blood alcohol concentration is at or above .15 can face Class A misdemeanor charges.
Over the 2014 Memorial Day weekend, the APD arrested 103 people for drunk driving during the no refusal initiative, obtaining blood search warrants for 43 people. Nationally, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest weekends of the year due to a high rate of drunk drivers.
The organization reported that in 2012, 165 people were killed in drunk driving crashes over Memorial Day weekend, with DUI accidents accounting for about 44 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities.
In Austin, alternatives to drunk driving include public transportation (Capital Metro), Uber, Lyft or local taxi services.
Drunk Driving Affected My Family—Do I Have Legal Rights?
Sadly, Austin has been named one of the “drunkest cities” in America by some media outlets, based on alcohol sales.
If you have been injured or have had a loved one killed in a drunk driving accident, it will be important for you to obtain legal counsel. Our Austin personal injury attorney can help you preserve evidence following a drunk driving accident, which may prove useful if a lawsuit be filed.
It is sad that so many people choose to drink and drive in Austin. Stay safe this Memorial Day weekend by avoiding this reckless decision.
The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney
Source: http://www.kut.org/post/no-refusal-weekend-austin-streets-and-waters
