Austin Police to run 'No Refusal' initiative this summer

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Monday, June 3, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin will operate its No Refusal initiative each night in June, July and August in an effort to crack down on impaired driving, city leaders announced in the Austin Mobility newsletter Monday.

No Refusal is done in collaboration between the Austin Police Department and the city's Vision Zero program, which aims to reduce the number of severe and fatal crashes on Austin roadways. Under the No Refusal initiative, APD can obtain a blood search warrant during specific hours "when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test," per the newsletter.

Officials noted weekend nights and holidays are traditionally when most impaired driving crashes happen, but estimated that more than 800 impaired driving crashes happen each year on weeknights and during the overnight time periods during the week.