By Kelly Rodriguez and Joe Camacho
The whole city is gearing up for Fiesta, but it’s not just the Fiesta Commission that is working overtime this week. San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County District Attorney’s office are working around the clock to deter Fiesta party-goers from making the decision to drive while intoxicated.
During Fiesta, more officers are patrolling and more partners are collaborating to make sure drunken drivers are transported safely.
“The goal for Fiesta is to have zero fatalities,” said Charles Rich, head of the DWI taskforce with Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
With the “no refusal” policy in full effect since Oct. 24, 2011, arrests have increased and fatalities have decreased, Rich said.
When a suspected intoxicated driver is pulled over, he or she is given the opportunity to provide a breath or blood sample. Any refusal of the two choices is an automatic driver’s license suspension.
Upon refusal of the samples, the suspect driver would then be detained pending a search warrant for a blood sample, Rich said.
He added, in his line of work he has seen outstanding college students lose their lives as some have died in alcohol related car crashes, while others have been prosecuted for intoxication manslaughter.
“They [convicted drivers] all say the same thing,” Rich said. “‘I never thought it could happen to me.’”
Texas is the first state to initiate the “no refusal” policy.
The year round “no refusal” policy is an initiative of the Bexar County District Attorney’s office designed to keep everyone safe from intoxicated drivers. The district attorney’s office encourages everyone to be safe and smart on the roads: don’t drink and drive.
The San Antonio Express-News reported April 2011 that Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed’s office “arranged for 139 blood draws during Fiesta, 118 of them on misdemeanor cases.” In 2010, there were 96 misdemeanor blood draws. Read more.
How Much is too Much?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation website, impairment begins with the first drink. Gender, body weight, the number of drinks consumed and the amount of food that has been eaten affect the body’s ability to handle alcohol. Two or three beers in an hour can make some people legally intoxicated. Women, younger people and smaller people generally become impaired with less alcohol.
Drinking? Let someone else drive
The San Antonio Restaurant Association, 210-734-7663, Silver Eagle Distributors, 210-225-3044 and Yellow Cab, 210-222-2222, launched the Alert Cab program in 2008 to help keep San Antonio streets and highways safe.
The Alert Cab program prevents drunk driving by providing free cab rides home for adults who may have had too much to drink. The program is year-round “with heightened awareness during key periods, such as Fiesta, July 4th and the winter holidays,” according to a news release.
Local bars and restaurants participate in the program by calling a confidential phone number and requesting a cab pickup for patrons who may have had too much to drink.
Driving while intoxicated — know the law
Offenders convicted of Driving While Intoxicated who are 21 years of age or over may be required to attend an authorized Alcohol Education Program, may be suspended or may receive probation for their offenses.
- Probation: If convicted of DWI and granted probation, an offender will be required to attend an Alcohol Education Program authorized by Texas Department of State Health Services unless the requirement is waived by the presiding judge. Completion of the program must be submitted within 180 days from date of conviction or revocation action will take place. A reinstatement fee will be required if the Texas license is revoked.
- Suspension: The Texas driver license may be suspended for a period not to exceed two years for first-time offenders. For more information, visit Texas Department of Public Safety.
Reinstatement requirements
- A reinstatement fee will be required prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license.
- Obtain proof of insurance (Form SR-22) from your insurance company and submit to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Form SR-22 is required for two years from date of conviction.
- If a Repeat Offender’s DWI education program has been required by the convicting court, certificate of completion must be forwarded to DPS prior to the expiration of the suspension to prevent an additional revocation period.
In Texas, the first offense is a class B misdemeanor, second offense within 10 years is a class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses are third degree felonies. Penal Code 12.21, 12.22, 12.34, 49.04 and 49.09 (2) are citations according to the Texas Drunk Driving Statistics.
About every 20 minutes in Texas, someone is hurt or killed in a crash involving alcohol. We urge you to take responsibility for your actions.
And if readers find that too hard to remember, here’s three simple rules to follow for a safe city-wide Fiesta: Be smart. Stay safe. And don’t drink and drive.
This story is part of The Mesquite Fiesta Guide, a special edition where reporters and photographers will contribute information on San Antonio’s Fiesta events, parking and food.
