HOUSTON — On public roads across the state, the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) said more than 18,000 citations were issued over two days of Fourth of July celebrations. According to DPS, 66 people were arrested on suspicion of DWI.
In order to save lives around holidays like the Fourth of July, law enforcement steps up patrols to ensure the roads are safe. Annually, the state puts into place Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) which increases the presence of law enforcement agencies on the roadways. In Texas, highway patrol troopers are looking for drivers committing offenses including speeding and intoxication.
THE QUESTION
Was the Fourth of July one of Texas's top holidays for DPS DWI arrests in 2023?
THE SOURCES
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Penal Code
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Safety Administration
THE ANSWER
Yes, last year was one of Texas's top holidays for DPS DWI arrests.
WHAT WE FOUND
The KHOU 11 Verify Team obtained records from Texas DPS identifying how many DWI arrests occurred on days when law enforcement had an increased presence on the roads looking for drivers under the influence. According to the data, New Year's Eve, Fourth of July and Easter are the top three holidays where people were arrested for DWI offenses.
People operating motor vehicles, planes, boats and amusement rides under the influence can be arrested for DWI. Penalties if caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher can range from fines to jail time. According to the Texas Penal Code, offense DWI offenses involving children, incidents where someone is seriously injured and repeat arrests can increase the penalties.
According to the latest report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Safety Administration, Texas is the number one state in the country for deadly alcohol-related crashes. Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) says, last year there were 4,665 alcohol-related crashes in the Houston area, resulting in more than 200 deaths. TXDOT says one-third of those traffic deaths came throughout the Fourth of July weekend in 2023.