DWI Enforcement for Independence Day Holiday

          INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY

                             2008 

                  DWI ENFORCEMENT

NEWS RELEASE  June 25th, 2008 1:25 PM

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the El Paso Police Department working with the Texas Department of Transportation Education & Enforcement will be utilizing a GRANT for additional patrols for traffic enforcement. The purpose of this program is aimed at getting speeding & impaired drivers off the roadways. Extra Deputies & Police Officers will be out on the streets during the Independence Day Holiday period. The push is to deter drunk driving. The enforcement program begins Friday, June 27th, 2008 through Sunday, July 6th, 2008.

Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation indicate Texas leads the nation when it comes to the number of traffic fatalities where the driver or motorcycle operator was legally drunk. Last year 1,677 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Texas.

Penalties for a first-time DWI offense include :

• Up to $2,000 fine
• 72 hours to 6 months in Jail
• Driver’s license suspension for up to one year
• $1,000 annual fee for 3 consecutive years to retain drivers license

“Zero tolerance means exactly that. We expect the motoring public to be extra mindful of all traffic laws. Our concern is in a split second a driver is facing a life-altering decision with grave consequences. Our advice is simple: designate a sober driver in advance or call a cab to get home safely. We want everyone to have a safe & pleasant Independence Day Holiday," said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

“The El Paso Police Department wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday. To keep our streets safe, we will increase our DWI enforcement and have another “Blood Draw” operation for drivers refusing to give a breath sample, said Chief Gregory Allen, El Paso Police Department.          

We will also be focusing on other law enforcement issues:

• Possession of Alcohol by a Minor
• Purchase of Alcohol by a Minor
• Attempt to Purchase Alcohol by a Minor
• Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor
• Misrepresentation of Age by a Minor 
• Driving Under Influence of Alcohol by a Minor  
• Sale to a Minor
• Purchase of Alcohol for a Minor
• Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor

Our Agencies will patrol and arrest / ticket drivers who ignore traffic laws. We continue to enforce the zero tolerance on seat belt/child safety seat use and drinking and driving. We will also focus on aggressive driving, and those who fail to obey the speed limit.

       EPSO / EPPD  DWI ENFORCEMENT 2008