Beginning next week, many students from all parts of Texas and the United States will flock to destination resorts like South Padre Island for vacation. While few would object to legal-aged students enjoying themselves, mixing alcohol with a motor vehicle could produce hazardous—if not fatal—consequences. 

In Texas, a person commits a DWI if the person operates a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. The three ways a person could be “intoxicated” include:

• Not having the normal use of mental faculties due to alcohol (or drugs or other controlled substances) into the body;

• Not having the normal use of physical faculties due to alcohol (or drugs or other controlled substances) into the body;

• Having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

The criminal consequences of a DWI include fines, probation fees, court costs, and hours of community service. While the criminal consequences of a DWI are severe, though, the potential danger to others is much higher. Driving is a complex task that requires the coordination of many sub-tasks, like accelerating, steering, and braking. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows reaction time and impairs motor skills, coordination, and judgment. Since driving involves multitasking, an intoxicated motorist is much more likely to cause an accident than someone who is not under the influence of alcohol. 

I hope that all students in Harlingen and throughout the Rio Grande Valley have a fun-filled spring break. I also hope that those who drink alcohol plan ahead and designate a sober driver rather than take the chance of an arrest or—worse—a needless tragedy.

-RDJ