From MyWestTexas.com
In the past 30 days, Midland County has experienced an unusually high number of drunken drivers, especially offenders under 30 years old, but police said the influx is more seasonal rather than the beginnings of a long term trend.
Local law enforcement agencies have arrested about 98 drunken drivers, with more than 58 percent of offenders between the ages of 18 and 29 years old since May 9 (Interactive Map: Recent DWI Stops). A vast majority of the arrests were for first-time offenders — a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up $2,000, a prison sentence of no more than 180 days and other probation-related courses and community service obligations.
The abnormally large number of driving while intoxicated arrests centered around various events, unique to this time of year: the country music festival Crude Fest, high school graduation, college students returning home and Memorial Day.
“There really aren’t any definable trends (relating to DWI offenders’ ages),” said Lt. Brian Bogart, the supervisor for the traffic and DWI enforcement unit.
He said during the summer months when the temperature hovers around 100 degrees, outdoor events with alcohol typically will attract a younger crowd. Inversely, he added, the age of DWI offenders around the time of Christmas office parties are a lot older because younger office workers tend to not stay long or wish to be elsewhere. …..MORE