Timothy Chapman
Edinburg police vehicles parked outside the city of Edinburg Police Department
In an effort to curb the growing number of drunk drivers, Hidalgo County law enforcement departments will enforce a no-refusal policy for the remainder of the year.
The law states that individuals who are pulled over and suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol have the right to refuse a breathalyzer or field sobriety test.
However, with the 60-day-no-refusal policy, drivers who refuse the test could result in officers going to extensive lengths to prove intoxication. With methods such as getting blood warrants, these can be taken from a suspect under force if need be.
Edinburg Assistant Chief of Police Michael Cerda said Edinburg is a no-refusal city all year round and explained what steps officers follow when dealing with someone suspected of being intoxicated.
“We will be able to have access to judges so that we can get a warrant for your blood or for your breath, mostly your blood,” Cerda said. “Based off of the symptoms of intoxication that we see.”
Patrol Lieutenant Primitivo Rodriguez Jr said last year, Edinburg had 342 DWI arrests with three fatalities. This year, as of Nov. 8, the total number of DWIs is 339, with 12 deaths.
“We’re already [projecting that] probably by the end of this weekend we’re going to surpass our numbers from last year,” Rodriguez said. “So, we obviously have a problem, and we need to focus on trying to reduce this and whatever we can because we’re trying to save lives.”
Lieutenant Gabriel Vela-Reyna said the most frustrating part of this particular crime is that it is simply a wrong choice.
“It’s 100% preventable,” Vela-Reyna said. “It’s a really bad choice that can lead to consequences and as long as we don’t get it out of our heads that it’s not going to happen to me. We’re going to continue seeing these [types] of trends.
Cerda said the 60-day-no-refusal initiative is not to arrest more people but simply to deter those who think about drinking and driving.
“Have a plan as to how you’re going to get home without driving and without risking not not only your life, but the life of everybody else that’s driving out there that [isn’t] intoxicated.” Cerda said.
This is Timothy Chapman for Vaquero Radio.
