Holiday traffic enforcement in effect

Starting today, the Austin Police Department will increase traffic and DWI enforcement. The holiday push will run through Jan. 1, 2025, and includes the No Refusal Initiative, which is in effect from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. through the year. “This initiative is an effort to enforce DWI laws, keep the public safe by encouraging drivers to make responsible decisions, and apply for blood search warrants on suspects who refuse to provide a breath or blood specimen, as required by law. This initiative will also focus on highways and high-speed roadways,” notes a press release from APD. “The Austin Police Department, along with the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department, continues to focus on preventing lives from being lost on Austin’s streets, highways, and waterways. We are dedicated to making the roadways and waterways of Austin safe for residents and visitors through education and enforcement.”