Texas Department of Transportation is urging drivers to plan ahead for a sober ride this Labor Day weekend through the “Plan While You Can” campaign.
Houston Police have changed the department's culture in ticketing and arresting drunk drivers. Their numbers are up more than 75 percent from last year.
Harris County Assistant District Attorney Sean Teare said they have judges and nurses on standby to draw your blood, if you refuse a breathalyzer.
"There are multiple prosecutors in multiple locations around the county, ready to write warrants, ready to facilitate these officers dropping off their first DWIs that they catch and get back out on the road faster," said Teare.
He said plan while you can. Once you've taken a drink, it is already too late.
Teare added they're going forward with every prosecution of arrests made, and they're holding more people accountable than those actually driving drunk.
"And, if there are any bartenders, any servers, anyone who's going to provide alcohol to minors out there listening, just know we're going to come for you, too. And, if we can prove that you did that, you're going to go to jail, as well," said Teare.
During the 2018 Labor Day holiday weekend, there were 328 crashes in Texas involving drivers under the influence of alcohol. Those crashes led to eight deaths and 25 serious injuries. In Houston, there were 37 DUI-alcohol related crashes.
In Texas, there were almost 25,000 involving drunk driving wrecks. Almost 1,000 died and another 2,000 were seriously hurt.
The “Plan While You Can” campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel.
#EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
Even if you are not in a wreck, a DWI ticket could cost you up to $17,000 in jail time, fines and fees, as well as possibly lose your license forever.
November 7, 2000 was the last day deathless day on Texas roadways.