The Woodlands Online Guide to (Literally) Surviving New Year’s Eve

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Especially in light of the lockdowns, downsizing, and distancing that came with the pandemic, people might be ready to metaphorically blow the roof off of this weekend’s New Year celebrations. Woodlands Online has some nifty tips to help you enjoy the holiday in relative safety.

No-Refusal Weekend

Local law enforcement – including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Precinct 3 Constable’s Office along with Texas State Troopers – will be enforcing a “no-refusal weekend” when it comes to drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

Unfortunately, Montgomery County continues to have some of the most deadly roads in the State of Texas. Year after year, a local resident is more likely to be involved in a vehicular related crime than all other crimes combined. Additionally, the offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is the number one crime committed in the county. Consequently, the Vehicular Crimes prosecutors and investigators coordinate the District Attorney’s Office Nationally Recognized No Refusal Program.

On weekends, holidays, and other random dates, the No Refusal Program is used to provide scientific evidence of guilt (or innocence) in each DWI arrest. The process of the No Refusal Program is as follows:

If the officer makes a DWI arrest and asks for a breath sample, and the person refuses, the officer calls the on-duty prosecutor and requests a search warrant for the suspect’s blood. The prosecutor meets with the officer and drafts a search warrant, then sends the warrant to an on-call judge, who reviews the warrant to ensure that probable cause exists to take the person’s blood. If the judge finds probable cause, he or she will sign the warrant and send it back to the prosecutor. If no probable cause is found, no blood warrant will be taken. But if probable cause is found, the prosecutor gives the signed warrant to an investigator, and a nurse then takes a sample of the person’s blood.

According to Texas law, while you can refuse a breathalyzer test in Texas, you will face a license suspension. For a first refusal, you could lose your driver's license for 180 days. If you have a prior DWI or refusal, the Texas Department of Public Safety could suspend your license for two years. Of course, while you face repercussions for outright refusing at blood-alcohol content (BAC) test, breathalyzer test, or field sobriety test, you are always welcome to retain legal counsel after the fact. Since a single DWI offense can run you up to $10,000 or more, however, we here at Woodlands Online encourage you to avoid the possibility altogether by either remaining sober, having someone else (also sober) drive, or make use of a ridesharing program of some type. Which leads us to…

Ridesharing

The Texas Department of Transportation has teamed up with the Governors Highway Safety Association and Uber to bring a traveling alternative – and peace of mind – to the holiday partier. From now through January 14 during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each day, you can enter the code ‘TXDOT20’ into your Uber app to receive a $20 credit while supplies last. This code is good anywhere in the Houston District (Harris County, Montgomery County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, and Waller County).

While Lyft isn’t offering a similar coupon code at this time, the ridesharing service is available for residents of The Woodlands area. Additionally, for the more discerning traveler, there’s still time to book a limousine, chauffeured town car, or party bus for you and your fellow revelers. Woodlands Online has a couple of suitable companies in its Business Directory, which you can find by clicking here. And while The Woodlands has an awesome trolley system that can get you to several key areas, it doesn’t run on New Year’s Day. But if you simply must insist on taking your own vehicle and then wanting it to be with you upon your return home after a night of partying, allow us to suggest…

Milstead Automotive’s DUI Prevention Towing Program

The Milstead family has been synonymous with community outreach in The Woodlands for decades, and this year they’ve really brought it ‘next level.’ Milstead Towing & Recovery, a division of Milstead Automotive Group, is offering a special program designed to bring people under the influence – and their vehicles – home together safely.

“We have answered a lot of calls regarding wrecks caused by drunk drivers who have had too much to drink, and the scene is usually devastating to not only the victims but also to the drivers and their families,” said Amy Milstead, president of Milstead Automotive. “Our DUI towing program will hopefully make people under the influence think twice about the consequences, and know that they have an easy alternative to get home.”

At no cost, Milstead Towing & Recovery will transport a person or persons and their vehicle home safely, no questions asked, helping to better ensure their safety and the safety of the area streets and highways. This program allows everyone on the road the opportunity to arrive safely and eliminates the possibility of getting pulled over and receiving a DUI. It also eliminates the wait for an Uber, the embarrassment of having to call a friend or family member for a ride, or the risk of having your vehicle towed or impounded. We here at Woodlands Online encourage you to take this moment to add Milstead Automotive to your speed dial: 281-367-3535.

Now, if you want one surefire way to ensure you don’t get pulled over for a suspected DUI, allow us to offer you the possibility to…

Bring the Mountain to Mohammed

Instead of venturing out onto the roads where you might be the victim of someone else’s bad partying choices even if you’ve teetotaled all night, why not consider renting a hotel room and enjoying one of the many parties that our local lodgings have planned? No fuss of travel, no watch-glancing, no dirty dishes to wash… you can enjoy it all in a single building from dusk until dawn. Click here for our hotel guide so that you can cater your hotel stay to your particular needs.

Additionally, we have some great ‘bring-to-you’ dining options here in The Woodlands. While it may be too late to secure a caterer for this year, you have plenty of time to set up a party-at-home evening for this time next year. There’s even one of those Japanese cuisine places called Benny’s Hibachi with ninja-level chefs that travels to your home or business. So, for this year or next, consider hosting a party to help ensure both you and your guests have a safe new year.

As we close out 2021 in hopes that 2022 is a turning point in this Covid world, all of us here at Woodlands Online wish you the safest possible New Year’s Eve.

(Primary Photo by Pablo Nidam on Scopio)