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Safe Communities is a coalition centered, data driven model, which is a collaboration of citizens and agencies for injury prevention. The Driver Safety Public Education Campaign focuses on reduction of injury and death from motor vehicle crashes. It is funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Texas DWI Alcohol and drug-related traffic offenses, commonly known as driving while intoxicated (DWI), are frequently prosecuted criminal offenses, and also carry with them administrative penalties. If the alcohol concentration in a person's blood, breath, or urine is.08 percent or greater, the person is considered intoxicated by law.

Nueces County - In 2013, 12 fatalities occurred in alcohol related motor vehicle crashes in Nueces County. - In Nueces County, 36.3% of motor vehicle crash fatalities (33) were alcohol related, a higher rate than for Texas at 32.2% CRIS, TxDOT

Nueces County DWI In Nueces County for 2013, alcohol related crashes resulted in 160 serious and 132 other injuries. CRIS, TxDOT In Corpus Christi for 2013, 1,203 persons were arrested for DWI. This is a 33.9% increase in arrests from 2011. CCPD

Texas DWI - Of the 3,377 people fatally injured in Texas crashes in 2013, 1,089 died due to a crash involving alcohol. -Also, 8,843 persons were seriously injured in alcohol related crashes. -The rate of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes was more than 5 times as high from 6pm to 4am as during the rest of the day. CRIS, TxDOT

» Impairment begins with the first drink» Gender, body weight, the number of drink consumed, and the amount of food in one s stomach all affect the ability to handle alcohol.» Women, younger people, and smaller people (whether male or female) often have lower tolerances, and become impaired more quickly.» Only a few drinks are needed for all people to become impaired and for some, legally intoxicated.

» These signs of impairment are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Manual: +Straddling center or lane marker +Turning with a wide radius +Almost striking object or vehicle +Weaving +Driving on other than designated roadway NHTSA

+Eye fixation +Tightly gripping the steering wheel +Face close to the windshield +Slouching in the seat +Gesturing erratically or obscenely +Drinking in the vehicle +Driver's head protruding from the vehicle NHTSA

» For persons who are stopped for suspicion of DWI in Texas, Standard Field Sobriety Tests or SFST, are generally used to determine if a person has been driving while intoxicated. TXDPS

» Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus or HGN is an involuntary jerking of the eyeball which occurs naturally as the eyes gaze to the side.» When a person who is impaired by alcohol, Nystagmus is exaggerated and occurs at lesser angles. TXDPS

» The Walk and turn test and one-leg stand test are Divided Attention tests that are suppose to be easily performed by most sober people.» Instructions must be followed while following simple physical movements.» Difficult for impaired persons. TXDPS

» Subject is directed to take nine steps, heel-to-toe, along a straight line.» The suspect must then turn on one foot and return in the same manner in the opposite direction. TXDPS

» Suspect is instructed to stand with one foot approximately six inches off the ground and count aloud (one thousand one etc) until told to put the foot down. TXDPS

» Depends upon the cumulative total of indicators provide by the three-test battery.» The greater the number of indicators, the more convincing the testimony. TXDPS

» SFST is administered according to national standards and is supported by significant research, therefore, it has greater credibility than mere subjective testimony.» Testimony is sufficient for conviction. TXDPS

First Offense: (Class B Misdemeanor) Up to a $2,000 fine 3-180 days in Jail Loss of drivers license up to 1 year Alcohol Education program is required within 6 months or license is suspended until completed Annual fee of $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 years Penalties

Second Offense: (Class A Misdemeanor) Up to a $4,000 fine 30 days-1 year in Jail License Suspension from 6 months to 2 years If 2 nd offense is within 5 years of 1 st, a minimum of 1 year license suspension Annual fee of $1,500 or $2,000 for 3 years Penalties

Third Offense: (Third Degree Felony) A fine of up to$10,000 2-10 years in penitentiary Suspension of license 6 months to 2 years Annual fee of $1,500 or $2,000 for 3 years Penalties

» Whether you re the driver or the passenger, you can be fined up to $500 for having an open alcoholic container in a vehicle» You can be charged with child endangerment for driving while intoxicated if you re carrying passengers younger than 15 years old. DWI with a 15 or under passenger involved is punishable by: + A fine up to $10,000, + Up to 2 years in jail + Loss of your drivers license for 180 days

After two or more DWI convictions in five years, you must install a special ignition switch that prevents your vehicle from being operated if you ve been drinking. Penalties for Boating or Flying While Intoxicated are the same as for DWI. Also, Federal law may apply to Pilots.

» Minors who purchase, attempt to purchase, posses, or consume alcoholic beverages, as well as minors who are intoxicated in public or misrepresent their age to obtain alcoholic beverages, face these consequences: Class C Misdemeanor, Fine up to $500 Alcohol awareness class 8 to 40 hours of community service 30 to 180 days loss or denial of driver s license

Under the law, Minors with any detectable alcohol in their system while driving may be fined up to $500, serve 20 to 40 hours community service, receive a license suspension of 6 months, and be required to attend a mandatory alcohol awareness class.

The DPS estimates that a first offense DUI costs at least $3,180 and could cost as much as $17,438. These costs include fines, fees, attorney fees, and other expenses, but do not include lost income due to lost work time and any liability costs.

Time of Day Single Vehicle Multiple Vehicle Midnight to 3am 77 73 3am to 6am 66 53 6am to 9am 22 13 9am to Noon 15 10 Noon to 3pm 17 12 3pm to 6pm 30 21 6pm to 9pm 49 38 9pm to Midnight 64 54 NHTSA

IF YOU DRINK: 1) Designate a Driver 2) Call a Taxi 3) Call a friend or family member 4) FIND A SOBER RIDE HOME 5) Take the bus 6) Stay where you are!