Latest statistics from the District Attorney's program, which targets impaired driving throughout Harris County, showed 123 DWI-related charges during the initial deployment from Dec. 10-13. Last week's operation, from Dec. 17-20, resulted in 189 charges - an increase of more than 50 percent.

"As we get closer to Christmas itself, and New Year's Eve, we're definitely seeing a jump in DWI-related offenses," said Catherine Evans, Chief of the District Attorney's Vehicular Crimes Section.

At the mid-point of the No Refusal enforcement operation, Evans said it is more important than ever for the traveling public to be aware of the dangers of intoxicated driving.

"Act responsibly during these holidays," Evans said. "There are many safe options - you can use a designated driver, or a cab or public transportation. Remember that, with the incidents of accidents and fatal crashes, the consequences of drinking and driving can be much more profound than even a DWI arrest."

The Holiday No Refusal Program, which operates in coordination with the Houston Police Department, will continue from Dec. 25-27 and from Dec. 31-Jan. 3. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors and medical personnel team up to secure search warrants for mandatory blood samples taken from suspected intoxicated drivers who refuse to be tested voluntarily for intoxicating substances.
 
Coupled with the earlier deployment over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, there have been a total of 450 DWI-related charges. Of those, 81 involved search warrants for mandatory testing.