HOUSTON (KIAH) – The City of Houston and local authorities across multiple law enforcement agencies are partnering up for a holiday initiative. This initiative aims to stop impaired drivers, prevent crashes, and save lives to keep streets and roads safe.
July 4th and 5th Houston Police Department Traffic Enforcement Division will lead a multi-agency DWI Initiative to keep the public safe.
The participating agencies are listed below:
- Houston Police Department
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office
- Metro Police Department
- Bellaire Police Department
- South Houston Police Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Harris County Constables Precinct 1
- Harris County Constables Precinct 4
- Harris County Constables Precinct 5
Just don’t drink and drive. It’s not worth it.
Houston’s Mayor Whitmire
Last year we had 54 DWIs July 4th weekend. This year the goal is zero.
HPD Chief Noe Diaz
Have a plan… Plan ahead to get home safely after drinking
- Designate a sober driver before you leave the house to go drinking.
- Schedule a ride share or pick up where you’re going via Uber or Lyft. Pay ahead!
- Arrange to stay overnight at the host’s house or book a nearby hotel
- Use public transportation, if it’s available and safe. Many local buses run till midnight.
- Tell a friend about your plan for the night so they can check on you later.
- Avoid driving altogether if you think you might be tempted to drink and drive.
- Know your emergency contacts and how to access them in a moments notice.
- Charge up and make space in your phone beforehand to ensure access to apps & contacts.
CLAIM YOUR $10 UBER VOUCHER NOW!
If you have a drink, but you think you’re going to come up with your plan afterward, that will not work and could cost you your freedom for a period of time. We will take your license, and your freedom. Zero tolerance. If you make this incredibly selfish decision, you will be caught.
Sean Teare, Harris County District Attorney
If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have a safe way to get home. Here are a few suggestions for helping those you care about, stay safe.
- Collect guests’ car keys at the door and only return them if the guest is sober.
- Offer plenty of non-alcoholic drink choices and food at your party or event.
- Stop serving alcohol before the party ends to give guests enough time to sober up.
- Have some designated drivers or ride options available for guests.
- Set up a rideshare station or post a QR code to Uber/Lyft on the wall.
- Let guests sleep over.
- See something, say something about preventing drunk driving if it’s uncomfortable.
- Call a cab or rideshare for someone you see who is too impaired to drive.
- Offer to drive the intoxicated person home or arrange a safe ride for them.
Long after the party is over, law enforcement will be patrolling local roadways. Scheduled hours of enforcement will be 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with proactive DWI enforcement across Houston, local municipalities, and Harris County…