Garland Police will be conducting increased DWI enforcement starting tonight, March 9, 2007,  that will continue each night through Saturday March 17, 2007.  There will be additional officers on the street for this enforcement that is being funded by the Impaired Driver Mobility (IDM) Grant.  The officers will be driving marked and unmarked police vehicles during the overnight times of enforcement.
 
Texas continues to be among the national leaders when it comes to alcohol-related traffic deaths.  TXDOT statistics show someone in Texas is hurt or killed in an alcohol-related crash every 19 minutes with drunk driving claiming five lives every day.
 
Texas Department of Public Safety reports that of the 98,349 drunk driving arrests made in Texas in 2004, 303 young people between nine and sixteen years old, were arrested for drinking and driving. An additional 9,285 minors between ages 17 and 20 were arrested for driving under the influence. That means more than 11% of all the people arrested for drinking and driving were under 21—the legal age for alcohol in Texas.
 
Closer to home:  During 2006 Garland Police made 654 DWI arrests.  Of those arrested, 7 were involved in wrecks resulting in 6 being charged with Intoxication Assault – Serious Bodily Injury and 1 for Intoxication Manslaughter.
 
This program is aimed at keeping Garland young people safe during their Spring Break.  Don't Drink and Drive !!!!!!!!!!!!