Texas Bill For Drunk Driving

The bill before you, H.B. 226, authorizes, but does not require, law enforcement agencies to conduct sobriety checkpoints. Further, it includes a series of restrictions that will limit the intrusion on drivers, and protect against harassment. This is the single most effective and simple measure addressing alcohol impaired driving that you can adopt this year. It will have a nearly immediate effect on the toll of drunk driving crashes, injuries and deaths in Texas.

The extremely high number of alcohol-related fatalities in Texas makes it clear that, despite the best efforts of many, the DWI control system in Texas is not working effectively to reduce these preventable tragedies. We urge you to take action on this and other life-saving measures pending before the Texas Legislature this year. We are joined in this effort by the Century Council, funded by the nation's leading distillers, and by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Both organizations are our partners in the National Hard Core Drinking Driver Coalition.