The Kennedale Police Department will be participating with other Tarrant County law enforcement agencies in the ?no refusal? Memorial Day weekend. {{more}}
From 9:30 p.m. Friday to 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, patrol officers will be prepared to use search warrants to force suspected drunken drivers to submit to blood tests if they refuse to give breath tests.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will participate along with Tarrant County sheriff?s deputies and all cities? police departments.
?Impaired driving is a major threat to public safety that claims thousands of innocent lives each year,? Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson said in a news release. ?Texas led the nation in 2013 with 1,337 deaths caused by drunk drivers, and many of these drivers were repeat offenders. This week alone, our local news has covered three fatality cases involving intoxicated drivers.?
The names and ages of drivers arrested and subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated during no-refusal periods will be published on the district attorney?s website
?This weekend is a time to remember those we have lost, not to add to that number by driving while intoxicated,? Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert said in a news release. ?Be responsible this holiday weekend, or be prepared to be held accountable for your actions.?