SXSW Drunk Driving: How Many People Were Arrested?

In March, we discussed Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW) event and how the city was attempting to prepare for the influx of people coming into town. Remember, it was a little over a year ago when an alleged drunk driver killed four pedestrians and injured 21 other people in a vehicle accident downtown as SXSW was going on. Because of this, it was reported that the city was expected to offer more police officers to patrol the area during this year’s festival.

Apparently, the move paid off—there were no major accidents reported in and around the event downtown. Additionally, the extra patrol seemed to pay off in apprehending drunk drivers. To put things in perspective, KXAN-TV reported that the Austin Police Department’s No Refusal initiative during the festival’s music portion resulted in 61 driving while intoxicated arrests.

This was far more than the last large-scale no-refusal weekend hosted by the city, which was during Halloween 2014, when 44 people were arrested for DWI.

According to KXAN, 42 people of the drivers who were arrested during SXSW this year were given blood draws (during No Refusal initiatives, officers can quickly obtain warrants to do this). Additionally, it was reported that 47 percent of all breath samples collected this year were .15 BAC or higher, with the highest at .263.

It is good that the city took steps to help ensure the safety of its citizens. Each year, Austin hosts numerous events that lead people to make the poor decision to drink and drive. In fact, Forbes has reported, “Austin ranks in the top five for America’s drunkest cities,” while the Austin-American Statesman reported that alcohol sales were up 5 percent from 2012 to 2013.

Having an Attorney Investigate a Drunk Driving Accident

Keep in mind, if a drunk driver injures you or has harmed your loved one, it may be in your best interest to speak to an attorney. A lawyer can help you seek damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and emotional distress following an accident. Additionally, an attorney can handle your case with compassion, preserving evidence that may be useful in litigation.

If a drunk driver has affected you and you have concerns about paying for legal representation, you should not fear this, as we handle vehicle accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning we are not paid for our services unless we prevail and secure damages on your behalf.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney

Source: http://kxan.com/2015/03/24/61-people-arrested-for-dwi-during-sxsw-no-refusal/