Tyler Police Cracking Down on DWI This Christmas Season

The Tyler Police Department is currently placing more officers on the streets looking for suspected drunk drivers. The program started December 7th and runs through December 31st.

During this program, which is funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, Tyler Police and Smith County Law enforcement agencies will be out in force looking for drunk drivers. In addition, the weekend of December 28 through January 1, will be a "no-refusal" weekend. During this time a person arrested under suspicion of drunk driving will be asked if they would submit to a blow into the breath test machine or take a blood test. If the driver refuses officers will be able to obtain an immediate search warrant to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail.

Tyler Police Public Information Officer, Don Martin, says this program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers.