HOUSTON – (December 28, 2023) – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with multiple agencies ahead of the New Year's holiday weekend to crack down on drunk drivers across the county.
The DWI initiative aims to combat impaired driving by employing a comprehensive approach to raise awareness, deter potential offenders, and enhance enforcement.
Harris County historically has had the highest number of fatal crashes related to DWI. DWI is the most commonly committed offense occurring at night, and it is a preventable crime.
"The Harris County Sheriff's Office is devoted to safeguarding the lives of its residents and visitors. This partnership demonstrates our unwavering pledge to tackle the grave problem of impaired driving head-on," stated Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "By working with our partner agencies and presenting a united front against DWI incidents, we aim to ensure a safer and more enjoyable New Year's for everyone."
The Harris County Sheriff's Office urges all community members to promote responsible behavior. This includes using designated drivers, ride-sharing services, or public transportation when planning to consume alcohol. The public is encouraged to report any suspected impaired drivers on the roads, ensuring swift and appropriate action is taken to prevent potential accidents. Drivers suspected of being impaired will be subject to field sobriety tests and no-refusal blood draws. The initiative will allow law enforcement to fast-track the process of investigating a drunk driver.
The agencies participating in the initiative are the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County Constables, Deer Park Police Department, Galena Park Police Department, Houston Police Department, Humble Police Department, Jersey Village Police Department, Katy Police Department, La Porte Police Department, and Spring Valley Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other agencies.
