APD prepares for "No-Refusal" NYE

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Police Department will enforce a "No-Refusal" DWI initiative for New Year's Eve.

The initiative will be effective beginning at 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve through 5:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. 

The DWI initiative allows officers to conduct blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to give a breath or blood specimen as required by law. 

The new law went into effect on September 1, 2009.  The law was created to enforce DWI laws and keep the public safe. 

About 25% of 2008 traffic fatalities were alcohol related. 

APD conducted the first "No-Refusal" initiative on Halloween of 2008.  Similar blood draw weekends have been used for other holiday weekends such as Labor Day, Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving.