To clamp down on holiday revelers who might consider driving while intoxicated, Garland Police are ramping up patrols this festive season. Starting from December 13 and continuing into the new year until January 1, authorities will be on high alert, with both marked and unmarked cars prowling the streets during nighttime hours in the hunt to prevent potential DWI incidents, according to the Garland Police Department.
These increased patrols aren't just about making their presence felt. Funded through a TXDOT grant aimed squarely at curb-stomping DWI and driving under the influence of minors, Garland Police are set to seriously crack down. They've been granted the power to secure blood search warrants for stubborn drivers who refuse to submit a breath or blood sample upon arrest for any DWI-related offenses.
Convicted first-timers could be set back up to $2,000 in fines, potentially lose their license for up to a year, and even find themselves behind bars for up to 180 days. And that's just the beginning. Safety officials warn that the total costs stacking up from an arrest and conviction for impaired driving could balloon over $17,000 when adding up bail, legal defense, court appearances, mandated classes, and the inevitable spike in vehicle insurance rates.
The grim reality of the dangers of drunk driving is underscored by the statistics from last year. In Dallas County alone, TxDOT reports a staggering toll of 2,275 crashes involving DUIs till March 28 of this year, with 108 lives needlessly lost as a result. In the face of such numbers, the hashtag #EndTheStreak is more than just a slogan; it's a desperate call to action to halt a deadly trend. With the increased DWI patrols, Garland Police hope to do just that—and to ensure that the only lights people have to worry about this holiday season are the festive ones illuminating their homes, not the flashing red and blues in their rearview mirrors.
