Hays County implements 'No Refusal' for New Year’s Eve

Local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing a "No Refusal" on New Year’s Eve. 

The San Marcos, Kyle and Buda police departments as well as the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Texas State University Police Department and the Department of Public Safety will be testing all suspected impaired drivers who refuse to provide samples for intoxicant testing by obtaining warrants for blood draws. 

The "No Refusal" is an effort to reduce the impact of drunk driving.  A qualified phlebotomist and Hays County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Chris Johnson have volunteered to be at the Hays County Jail to expedite the process for Hays County peace officers to seek and obtain DWI search warrants to draw the blood from those who are suspected of driving in Hays County while intoxicated, but who refuse to provide a sample of their blood.

“Despite convenient ride-sharing alternatives, far too many people still choose to endanger Hays County citizens by drinking and driving,” Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau said in a statement. “ According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 258 driving-under-the-influence crashes in 2018 in Hays County. Over 100 people were injured and 11 killed in these crashes. Our office hopes that these No Refusal events — with the help of our dedicated law enforcement community and our hard-working magistrates — will become a common practice in our community as they are elsewhere.”