DUI’s on the Rise as Fiesta San Antonio Draws Closer

Ford and Laurel Attorneys at Law
San Antonio 2/27/14

Six people were killed in suspected drunken-driving crashes over a 24-hour span at the end of March. This doubles the number killed so far this year in driving-while-intoxicated-related wrecks on San Antonio roads.

Usually DUI fatalities wait until Fiesta, scheduled to begin April 10th, before spiking. In past years, this San Antonia festival has brought on one of the most dangerous months for local drivers.

Authorities said people need to take responsibility for their own safety and those around them. “We can’t arrest the issue away,” Police Chief William McManus said at a news conference.

For Fiesta and other big events and holidays, the Police Department and other agencies increase their efforts. Police put out public service announcements warning of the dangers of DWI and meet with groups including MADD, the Texas Department of Transportation, the San Antonio Restaurant Association and the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau. “There’s got to be a group effort in doing this, and part of that group is the public,” said McManus. He also commented that the department is just one agency in “Team DWI,” which also includes the district attorney’s office and TxDOT.

In 2013, 48 people died in DWI-related crashes, according to police data. There were 6,591 DWI arrests.

“The people who do pay attention are the people who are shaking their heads,” McManus said. “It’s confounding why people would continue to do this.”

In other words – it’s a mess out there and the potential for bigger messes is getting, well, bigger. But if you’ve gotten caught up in it, we’re here to help. Ford and Laurel Attorneys at Law, your Car and Truck Accident Lawyers.
San Antonio (210) 820-3434 or Laredo (888) 295-7669
www.fordandlaurel.com