The Austin Police Department is enforcing a DWI No Refusal Initiative during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, ensuring that drivers are sober behind the wheel or face legal consequences. The program, which runs from May 23rd to May 27th, allows law enforcement to secure blood search warrants for suspects who refuse to undergo breath or blood testing when pulled over with the suspicion of impaired driving.

With an eye on public safety, the Austin Police Department states, "This initiative will also focus on highways, high-speed roadways, and waterways." According to an announcement released by APD, the operation is not only a crackdown on drunk drivers but also an attempt to promote responsible behavior amongst motorists and boaters alike during a weekend typically associated with heavy celebratory drinking and increased vehicular traffic.

As part of this safety push, the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department has joined APD in its mission to reduce fatalities on Austin's thoroughfares and aquatic venues. "The Department is dedicated to making the roadways and waterways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement," as stated in the department's press release.

In keeping with efforts to #EndTheStreakTX – the hashtag symbolizing the state's endeavor to halt the daily deaths on Texas roads that have persisted since November 7, 2000 – police will be vigilant in curtailing DUI incidents. The city urges: "Don't drink and drive," as APD and the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department work in tandem to protect their community and uphold the law.