Police to step up DUI enforcement


From Staff Reports

Published: Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:26 PM CST
This holiday season, the Rowlett Police Department will be cracking down on impaired driving, focusing specifically on the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. This effort will begin Dec. 16 with the assistance of Rowlett police officers through a partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Grant. Rowlett police officers trained as drug recognition experts, as well as officers trained to administer standardized field sobriety tests, will be working various hours to assist patrol officers with the detection and arrest of impaired drivers.



Motorists suspected of impaired driving will be arrested and requested to give a voluntary specimen of their blood to determine the presence of alcohol and narcotics in their body. If drivers suspected of driving under the influence refuse to give a specimen, a search warrant will be obtained for a specimen of the violator’s blood.

Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2008, 11,773 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

“Make no mistake, our message is simple. No matter what you drive, if you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions, no excuses. We will be out in force to take drunk drivers off the road—and save lives that might otherwise be lost,” said Rowlett Police Lt. LeRoy Brantley.

The Rowlett Police Department reminds all residents of Rowlett to play it safe over the holidays. Make the decision to celebrate wisely this Christmas and New Year’s and throughout the year. Be a designated driver, or plan ahead if you will be drinking alcohol. Find a designated driver, make arrangements to take public transportation, or plan to spend the night where you will be safe. Drinking and driving is not worth the consequences.