Houston Police Department

August 18 , 2006 -- Beginning this evening (August 18), the Houston Police Department will initiate a DWI Labor Day crackdown in an effort to keep our roadways safer. This Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) grant-funded program will be in conjunction with the regular DWI patrol units that work the streets. The program will be in effect from tonight (Friday, Aug. 18) thru Monday, September 4th (Labor Day).

The Houston Police Department was awarded a $70,000 grant from TxDOT in order to beef up DWI enforcement during this time period. The program will enable the police department to have additional specialized, trained officers on the streets every night during this time period to remove those drivers suspected of being DWI.

This program is an ongoing endeavor of the Houston Police Department and TxDOT in order to crack down on drunk driving and is part of a larger program the HPD participates in every year. The police department also utilizes TxDOT funds from a Holiday DWI grant-funded program throughout the year. This additional $70,000 will be utilized during the Labor Day holiday period only. The HPD has also teamed up with MADD to fight the ongoing DWI problem. According to MADD, Harris County leads the nation in the number of people killed by drunken drivers. This year the enforcement period has been extended to address all the additional motorists who will be on the streets. Officers will have a no tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.