No Refusal enforcement to increase during the holiday season

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin says enforcement of No Refusal this holiday season is going to increase.

During No Refusal, Austin Police Department detectives will apply for a blood search warrants in cases where a driver under arrest for driving while impaired refuses to provide a voluntary sampe of breath or blood.

Officials say by increasing enforcement from Thanksgiving through early January they hope to get people to plan a safe ride home when celebrating.

Austin residents and visitors can go to AustinTexas.Gov/GetHomeSafe to learn about their options for a safe ride to and from holiday parties, events, and other special occasions.

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley says in a news release that officers have made more than 1,500 arrests since January through No Refusal.

"Please don’t put yourself and others in danger. Before heading out, plan ahead to make it home safe," Manley says.