Tarrant County D.A. Publishes Names Of Alleged NYE Drunken Drivers

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – As promised, the Tarrant County District Attorney began publishing the names of people arrested for drunken driving over the holiday weekend on Tuesday.

The list of those accused is long: At least 95 people were arrested and 34 have been fully charged, the website says.

"What's hard to say is 'how many would we have had if this wasn't out there? How many were deterred?'" asked Asst. District Attorney Richard Alpert. "This is an avoidable crime."

The campaign was intended to discourage people from drinking and driving on New Year's Eve, one of the most dangerous holiday weekends.

The list is published on the DA's website, and is expected to be complete by the end of the week.

"It was never just about shaming people, it was about finding a way to get their attention," Alpert said. "In most things in life your reputation means something."

This is the first year the DA's office has published the names, but police departments have long stepped up enforcement on the week of New Year's Eve and other holidays.

"This campaign had a huge impact," said Fort Worth Police Officer Clifton Miller. "No fatalities at all, so actually this is the measure of success for our department."

While some may think the added public shame is unfair, others say it's a good idea if it works.

"I think if they're going to get a DWI, it might not change their behavior," said Peyton Frank, a Fort Worth resident. "But hopefully it might."

"Anything that keeps drunk drivers off the road is a good idea," added Debbie Praschan, of McKinney.

CBS11 tried contacting numerous people named but were unable to reach them.

In the city of Dallas, 31 people were arrested on suspected DWI. That does not include arrests in other cities in Dallas County.