The final days of Brown County’s “No Refusal” program is winding down, and the reports so far indicate that the program is making the roads safer.

Sergeant Jason Shea from the Texas Department of Public Safety said that DWI related accidents are down 65% as compared to the same time period last year.

In this program, if someone is stopped for suspected DWI and refuses to take a breath test or blood test, the officer will seek a court order to take a blood sample with a judges’ signature.  This blood search warrant will allow the seizure of a blood sample to determine if the suspect is legally intoxicated

This program began on October 15th and runs until January 15th, 2010 and is geared towards cracking down on DWI cases in Brown County with the Texas DPS, Brownwood & Early Police Departments, and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department all participating.

The photo above shows Wes Copeland Brown Co, John Fincher Brown Co, Keith Varner Early PD, Mike Sams Texas Highway Patrol and Brian Tompkins Brownwood PD representing these participants.

The following is a summary of the DWI enforcement for week of  12/20/09 – 1/4/10

DWI Arrests……………………………………………7

Public Intoxication Arrests……………………6

Open Container Citations………………………10

Driving Under Influence Minor…………..0

Alcohol Related Accidents………………………0

Drug Related Accidents…………………………0

Fatal Accidents……………………………..0

Minor in Possession………………………..6

Blood Search Warrants………………………….0