No-Refusal Weekend Results in 52 Arrests

This past weekend, Austin police initiated a “no-refusal” period during which officers could obtain automatic search warrants for blood tests from suspected drunk drivers who refused to take a Breathalyzer test. No-refusal weekends are common for holidays that are associated with drinking and this year the no-refusal weekend was extended to intoxicated boaters resulting in at least one felony Boating While Intoxicated charge on Lake Travis.

The no-refusal weekend ended Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. for Austin drivers and boaters. Though numbers have not been released for Monday, the Austin Police Department made a total of 52 arrests for DWI/BWI from Friday to Monday. Of the arrests, 14 were made through Breathalyzer testing and 38 suspects had blood drawn. This number includes 28 people who had blood drawn as a result of automatic warrants due to the no-refusal policy.