As Central Texas prepares for one of the busiest travel and celebration periods of the year, the Austin Police Department is launching its 2026 Drive Sober, No Regrets Initiative, a comprehensive effort aimed at reducing impaired‑driving crashes during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period.

Beginning June 19 and continuing nightly through July 6, APD will conduct an expanded DWI Enforcement and No Refusal Initiative. Additional officers will be deployed across Austin’s streets, highways, and waterways, focusing on traffic stops, impaired‑driving detection, and proactive safety enforcement. The goal is simple: ensure that every resident and visitor has a safe way home during one of the most festive — and historically dangerous — times of the year.

APD officials emphasize that the initiative is not about punishment, but prevention. Officers will apply for blood search warrants when individuals arrested for DWI refuse to provide a breath or blood sample, a key component of the No Refusal process. This ensures that impaired drivers are identified and removed from the road before tragedy strikes.

The campaign is part of a broader, year‑round partnership between APD, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the City of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. Together, these agencies work to reduce serious injuries and fatalities through education, enforcement, and community outreach. Their shared message heading into the holiday is clear: enjoy the celebrations, but make responsible choices.

Whether attending fireworks shows, backyard gatherings, or lakefront events, APD urges everyone to plan ahead — designate a sober driver, use rideshare services, or rely on public transportation. A single decision can prevent a lifetime of regret.

As the Fourth of July approaches, the Drive Sober, No Regrets Initiative stands as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. Austin’s roads and waterways belong to all of us, and keeping them safe begins long before the keys are in the ignition.