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Plano DWI crackdown nets 19 arrests
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@starlocalnews.com
The Plano Police Department stepped up enforcement surrounding the Fourth of July holiday, resulting in 19 alcohol-related arrests.
From June 30 to July 4, the department arrested 18 motorists for driving while intoxicated and one for driving under the influence, a charge department spokesman David Tilley said is usually reserved for motorists under the age of 21. More than 75 percent of the arrests occurred between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
"We recognize the fact that around this particular holiday, and a few others throughout the year we are more likely to encounter drunk drivers," Tilley said. "Our officers were aware of the potential for DWIs and they increase their vigilance around July 4, while still performing their other duties."
"We have judges on-call pretty much 24/7 year-round," he said. "If a person is pulled over and refuses to give a blood or breath sample, we are able to obtain a warrant and have the person's blood drawn by a phlebotomist."
A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, with additional convictions enhancing the penalty, Tilley said. A third DWI conviction is a third-degree felony with a potential jail sentence of two to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. DWI convictions also result in license suspensions of up to 180 days for a first conviction and up to two years for a second or third conviction.
Lt. John Norton, a spokesman for the Collin County Sheriff's Department, said the department arrested three people for DWI from June 30 to July 4.
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Also, since most accidents occur at intersections where traffic signals are, thus a drunk driver more likely to run a red light, wouldn't it make sense for the city not to intentionally mistime traffic signals? Look at the service road on 121 between Custer & Spring Creek as the poster child of mistimed signals. "