Sobering Statistics for Don’t Drink and Drive Message

The Southlake Police Department is continually working to make our City streets and highways safe for our citizens. Patrol and Traffic Officers keep a watchful eye for dangerous and reckless drivers as well as drivers who may be impaired due to alcohol or drugs. With the holidays approaching, officers will be stepping up their efforts to keep drunk drivers off of the streets.

The statistics for ‘Drinking and Driving’ are staggering. Approximately one-in-three traffic deaths in the United States involve a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. A driver with BAC level of 0.08 or higher is considered alcohol impaired by law.

Officers are also seeing drivers who are taking more than the prescribed dose of their medications and oftentimes mixing those prescriptions with alcohol. The combination of drugs and alcohol can seriously impair judgment and lead to traffic accidents that cause serious injury or death.

To give you a better idea of the seriousness of driving impaired, here’s a look at the arrests Southlake Police Officers have made in the City since October 2014. From October 1, 2014 until September 1, 2015 a total of 140 DWI arrests were made with a total of 11 alcohol / drug related crashes during that same time frame.

DWI & Drug Impaired Driving

October 1, 2014 to September 1, 2015  

• 140 DWI traffic arrests
• 11 Alcohol/drug related crashes 

The Southlake Police Department is committed to being proactive in its “Anti-Drinking and Driving” messaging to residents and visitors to the City of Southlake. And that message is very clear, “If you Drink and Drive – You Will Go to Jail.”

The goal is to keep impaired drivers off of our City streets and highways and to remind individuals to plan ahead if they plan to drink. Get a designated driver or make arrangements for a taxi ahead of time.

Don’t Drink and Drive  

• Arrange to have a designated driver
• Plan ahead by arranging for a taxi to pick you up

SLPD cannot stress enough that the cost of drinking and driving is a high price to pay. Not only can it cause injury or death, but drivers can also expect to spend the night in jail, pay thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees, hefty fines and court costs. Also, your driver’s license can be suspended which can impact your job and livelihood.

DWI statistics across the state show a similar trend and are very sobering as well. During last year’s holiday season (Dec. 1, 2013 – Jan. 1, 2014), there were 2,367 DWI and/or impaired traffic crashes in Texas resulting in 763 serious injuries and 92 fatalities.

 Statistics for the State of Texas  

(Dec. 1, 2013 – Jan. 1, 2014)

• 2,367 DWI/drug impaired traffic crashes
• 763 serious injuries
• 92 fatalities

As the holiday season approaches, be mindful of these statistics and plan ahead so that you don’t become one. The holidays are most wonderful time of the year, but one poor decision to drink and drive could bring a devastating end to holiday celebrations and change lives forever. Texans can help make the holidays merry and bright all season long by giving the gift of a sober drive home.