POSTED: Thursday, December 31, 2009 - 6:32pm
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 12:07pm
SMITH COUNTY - If you drink and drive this weekend - get ready to "bleed" or "breathe."
The Tyler Police Department, along with Smith County deputies, will enforce the annual 'No-Refusal' DWI/DUI initiative throughout the weekend.
Across the country, a blood-alcohol level of .08 is now the legal definition of driving under the influence.
Under Texas law, suspected drunken drivers cannot be forced to take a breathalyzer test.
Except during 'No-Refusal' weekend - which officially went into effect at 3 p.m. Friday and ends Sunday.
What this means, upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked if they want to blow into a breath-test machine.
If they say "no" - a judge can sign a warrant ordering you to submit to a blood test. You get no choice.
Patrolmen will be out in Smith County and other East Texas cities all weekend. They say everyone in the community needs to help out the cause.