Drunk driving is a serious problem in Texas, and El Paso ranks among the top ten worst cities in the U.S. for DUI crashes. These accidents can leave victims with serious injuries that dramatically change their futures. Sadly, many crashes cause death, devastating families for generations.
El Paso Ranks High as a Drunk Driving Hotspot in Texas
According to a study by LendingTree, Texas is home to 5 cities with the highest rate of drunk driving fatalities, and El Paso tops that list. While Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Arlington all have alcohol-related crash fatality rates between 46.3% and 51.9%, that number is almost 61% in El Paso.
This even beats the national average, where only 37.6% of all driving accident deaths involve alcohol.
1. El Paso Drunk Drivers Often Justify Their Bad Choices
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) reports that alcohol makes it hard to make smart decisions. El Paso drivers may use the following reasons for driving drunk:
- I’m ok to drive: According to American Addiction Centers, 53,5% of people feel they are capable of driving after they have been drinking.
- I’m not going far: They may be more likely to drive drunk when they only live a few miles away.
- It’s my only way home: They convince themselves they have to drive instead of calling a rideshare service.
- I know the roads: They may believe they can drive familiar streets without danger.
- I won’t get caught: Some drivers think they can avoid police, but their reckless choices can still seriously hurt someone you love.
None of these reasons is good enough to excuse drunk driving when it risks the lives of others on the road.
Making excuses for drunk driving puts everyone at risk. There is no safe way to drink and drive.
2. El Paso Sees a High Number of DWI Arrests Every Year
In 2022, Texas law enforcement gave out 1,872 DWI citations, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. That year, there were 176 convictions, 136 dismissals, 136 guilty pleas, and 176 not guilty pleas. These numbers show how often drunk driving leads to serious legal action.
3. El Paso DWI Penalties Are High
Like everywhere else in Texas, El Paso administers strong penalties for those convicted of DWI. The state penalties are as follows:
- First offense: Fines up to $2,000, up to 180 days in county jail, license revoked for up to 1 year
- Second offense: Fines up to $4,000, between 1 month and 1 year in county jail, license revoked for up to 2 years
- Third offense: Fines up to $10,000, between 2 and 10 years in state prison, license revoked for up to 2 years
Convicted offenders can face fines up to $6,000 and may also be sued by the people they hurt or by families of those who died.
4. Driving With Children in the Vehicle in El Paso Leads to More Penalties
If someone drives drunk with a child under 15 in the car, they face an extra $10,000 fine, up to 2 more years in jail, and a 180-day license suspension. These penalties can happen even if it is their first offense, depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
5. El Paso County Government Believes in Helping DWI Offenders
Although convicted DWI offenders face tough penalties, El Paso County offers the DWI Drug Court Intervention and Treatment Program for most people. This program helps direct drunk drivers to classes and treatment to address the root cause of their actions: substance abuse and lack of awareness. Adults 17 and older can join as long as their DWI case doesn’t involve death, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, or sexual crimes.
Treatment and education are key to breaking the cycle of drunk driving in El Paso County.
6. El Paso Actively Works to Catch Drunk Drivers
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department runs regular sting operations to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. They set up stops during holidays associated with heavy drinking, such as the recent  ed Sands.
7. DWI in El Paso Is Expensive
Drunk drivers must pay fines, hire a lawyer, install a special device in their car, and go to classes. They also pay court fees, higher insurance, and probation costs. Texas’s Drive Sober No Regrets program says a first DWI can cost about $17,000—not counting any injury lawsuit costs.
8. El Paso Drunk Drivers May Have to Pay Child Support
As of 2023, under H.B. 393, a drunk driver who kills a parent or guardian must pay child support until the child turns 18. This applies if the driver is convicted of intoxication manslaughter (section 49.08).
9. Most El Paso Drunk Drivers Fit a Pattern
According to the Texas Open Data Portal, the average drunk driving death in Texas is a man aged 19 to 35. Most crashes happen on rural roads early Sunday mornings. These cases make up about 37% of all traffic deaths in Texas.
10. An El Paso DWI Conviction Has Far-Ranging Consequences
People convicted of DWI may lose their driver’s license and have trouble keeping professional licenses. They might struggle to find housing, keep jobs, and maintain relationships. After a felony DWI with death, they could spend years in prison and never return to their old life.
Alcohol is a big part of Texas culture but drinking and driving causes pain and injury. The Drive Like a Texan campaign reminds everyone to be safe and kind on the roads. If someone drives drunk and hurts you, you have the right to seek compensation through insurance or a lawsuit.
