North Texas Law Enforcement Kicking Up Anti-Drunk Driving Efforts

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - It's the time of year when police have to deal with more tipsy drivers so, law enforcement agencies across North Texas are stepping up drunk driving enforcement, beginning this week.

Dallas police, along with other local departments, are increasing the number of officers on patrol.

Specially assigned Dallas police officers will once again take to the streets, looking for drivers who just don't get it when it comes to drinking and getting behind the wheel.

"The Dallas Police Department will add 12 members to our DWI squad for the 'Home for the Holidays', beginning this week, through the first of the year," explained DPD Lieutenant Dale Bernard.

Denise Day, whose daughter was killed after getting in the car with someone under the influence, encourages parents to put their anger aside and if their child calls and says they've been drinking.

Speaking of her daughter, Day said, "She wanted to come home... she just never made it. And I know I would have saved her life is she had picked up the phone and called."

Dallas County will have no-refusal blood testing for anyone suspected of driving drunk.

Nationally in 2009, between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, 879 people were killed by drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.