‘No Refusal,’ How Fort Bend County is cracking down on drunk driving for Memorial Day Weekend

FORT BEND, Texas – Memorial Day Weekend might mean a 3-day weekend for some, but in Fort Bend, it means cracking down on drunk drivers.

According to a press release from the Fort Bend District Attorney’s Office, this weekend law enforcement will increase its patrols looking for drivers impaired by alcohol or other substances by implementing its “No Refusal” initiative.

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There will also be search warrants drafted by the DA’s office allowing local judges to authorize blood draws from drivers who have shown evidence of impairment. An appeals court claims this blood search warrant is legal to obtain evidence in DWI cases from those who are arrested but refuse to take a breath/blood test.

Nurses will also be on hand to draw blood once the warrant is approved and obtained.

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This is not the first time Fort Bend has implemented its “No Refusal” initiative, which is funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). KPRC 2 last reported on the initiative during Spring Break earlier this year.