New effort to stop drunken driving

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Police Department will enforce a No-Refusal DWI initiative for Labor Day weekend - meaning anyone who refuses a breath test will be automatically subjected to a blood test.

APD and the Texas Department of Transportation are stepping up their efforts to encourage people not to drink and drive.

"He was the love of my life," said Deborah Ramaker, the mother of a son killed in a drunken driving accident.

On May 18 of last year Jared Moore, 18, was at preprom party in Garland, Texas when he made a terrible mistake.

"My son just got in the car with his friend who had been drinking," said Ramaker. "His friend ran through a flashing red light going really fast."

The 18-year-old driver tried to avoid another car but lost control and flipped.

"My son was in the passenger’s seat, and he was probably killed by ejection, but I'm not sure," said Ramaker.

"My brother was probably one of my favorite people in the world, I looked up to him," said Justin Moore, Jared's brother. "Just the worst day of my life."

The friend who caused the accident is charged with manslaughter and is awaiting his punishment. It is tragic stories like these that APD and TxDOT want the public to remember.

"Before you go out and have a great time over the Labor Day holiday, we want you to designate a driver, call a cab or just stay where you are if you have been drinking," said Carol Rawson with TxDOT.

TxDOT’s new effort is called "Choose your ride." Around town, there are cars that are half police cruisers half cabs.

"You can either choose a $25 cab ride or you can choose a $16,000 cost for one DWI," said Rawson.

And besides the actual cost, paying the price for killing someone can be worse.

“It's harmful to people like me who have to suffer with not having their children due to a bad decision," said Ramaker.

Every year on Texas roads, 1,600 people are killed due to accidents involving alcohol.