New Years Eve is considered one of the busiest nights of the year for Lubbock Police. Sergeant John Hayes has been an officer for twelve years, he said this 'NYE' extra units will be on the road patrolling for drunk drivers.
"We're going to do what we can with the man power that we have," Hayes said.
County Prosecutor Tom Brummett said every person suspected of drunk driving this weekend will be tested one way or another.
"Anybody that refuses to get a chemical sample blood or breath for analysis as the law requires them to do, then we will obtain a search warrant signed by a local judge which requires them to give that sample," Brummett said.
It's known as 'no refusal' weekend. Brummett said Lubbock County has done it four times in the past. He said of all DWI arrests made during a 'no refusal' period, only two cases ended without a conviction.
"So we've been very pleased with the results. The average blood alcohol is of a level that we're very comfortable with those arrests that we're making and it shows us that the police are using the right tools to make their arrest decisions as well," Brummett said.
He said multiple counties across the state have already enacted a permanent no refusal policy. So could that be a possibility for Lubbock County in the future?
"That is a goal I think that's worth pursuing and we're still evaluating that information," Brummett said.
Dotty Griffith of the American Civil Liberties Union said the organization will support the policy as long as its carried out in the safest way possible.
"We're always concerned that there be probable cause and due process for stopping anyone that is driving unsafely. Then yes, we want everyone to be subject to the same rules and procedures that everybody else is," Griffith said.
Hayes said the policy will be handled professionally, and will only be used if necessary.
"Our ideal situation is that everybody thinks ahead, hands the key to somebody else, calls a taxi, does something," Hayes said.
He said remember police aren't out to get you, but they will be on the lookout should you break the law.
