DPS: Drive drunk, go to jail

New Year's Eve is a time for celebration, however, law enforcement agencies are warning the public to not take their party on the road.

Members of Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and Brownsville Police will be stepping up their patrolling looking for drunk drivers during the holiday.

"Were having everybody work," said DPS spokesman Johnny Hernandez. "Especially looking for drunk drivers. We have zero tolerance. If you get pulled over for drunk driving, you will go to jail."

According to the Texas Penal Code chapter 49, a person is legally intoxicated in Texas if they have an alcohol concentration of .08 or more.

Some of the charges that an individual might face under the code include possession of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, a Class C misdemeanor or driving while intoxicated, a class B misdemeanor with a minimum confinement of 72 hours. If the person commits both at the same time, they are charged with class B misdemeanor with a minimum confinement of six days.

A one time repeat offender of DWI is faced with a class A misdemeanor with a minimum confinement of 30 days. A person who has been convicted more two previous times is faced with a third degree felony.

DPS reports that for the month of December 2007 they had 91 DWI related arrests in Cameron County and 211 for the same time period in Hidalgo County. The spokesperson wouldn't speculate about the figures for this year but said that during the holidays there is an increase in offenders.

"People need to be more responsible," Hernandez said. "We investigated 13 accidents and one fatality. That was only DPS not including other agencies."

Alcohol related arrests figures were not available for Brownsville police, however they warn the public to make plans for the celebrations and either have a designated driver or call a taxi.

"We want people to remember that the holidays are a time for celebration," police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique said. "It must be done in a responsible manner. A lot of people feel it's "ok" to celebrate with a few drinks and get behind the wheel, that is how people get hurt."