The Austin Police Department (APD) conducted a no-refusal initiative in conjunction with the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival Day No-Refusal Initiative through assistance from the City of Austin Transportation Department. The initiative ran from Thursday, October 3, 2019 through Sunday, October 6, 2019 and again from Thursday, October 10, 2019 through Sunday, October 13, 2019. The hours of the initiative were 10 p.m. - 5 a.m. each day. During the operational time periods, officers made 83 DWI-related arrests:
 
Total DWI arrests during No Refusal period = 83
 
Blood Search Warrants: 34
Consent Breath Samples: 32
Consent Blood Samples: 17
 
Of those arrests, the following number had enhanced DWI charges:
           
Consent Breath Samples over .15: 16
Class A Misd DWI (with prior conviction): 10
Felony DWI (2 or more prior convictions): 13
Felony DWI Child Passenger: 2

This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions, and to apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood specimen as required by law.
 
The Austin Police Department and the City of Austin Transportation Department are continuously focused on preventing lives from being lost on the streets, highways and waterways of Austin. The department is dedicated to making roadways and waterways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement. 
 
There is no excuse to drink and drive! Plan a safe ride home.