El Paso, we have to do better when it comes to drinking and driving because the numbers just came out and it\u2019s pretty shocking. And with the Super Bowl and Valentine\u2019s Day right around the corner, being aware of the issue is a must!<\/p>\n
El Paso leaders gathered Tuesday afternoon to talk about one issue that continues to hit close to home: impaired driving.<\/a> Mayor Renard U. Johnson, El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas, and District Attorney James Montoya all shared updates on what\u2019s being done and what still needs to change to keep local roads safer.<\/p>\n Mayor Johnson pointed to a 6% increase in DWI arrests from 2023 to 2025, with more than 5,000 drivers arrested during that time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More: After El Paso\u2019s Storm Comes Several Pot Holes<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What El Paso Officials Are Doing To Prevent DWI<\/p>\n During the press conference,<\/a> Mayor Johnson mentioned that while the numbers are concerning, enforcement isn\u2019t the end goal.<\/p>\n \u201cDrunk driving is dangerous, it\u2019s illegal, and it\u2019s completely preventable,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just about arrests\u2014it\u2019s about preventing crashes, reducing injuries, and saving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Chief Pacillas echoed that urgency, calling impaired driving an ongoing crisis. EPPD has launched a \u201czero tolerance\u201d traffic enforcement approach,<\/a> issuing 1,400 citations and nearly 800 hazardous citations in just the first two weeks of 2026.<\/p>\n District Attorney James Montoya highlighted accountability on the prosecution side, while also reminding the public that prevention matters just as much. Last year Montoya\u2019s office rolled out the \u201cPick Your Ride\u201d campaign,<\/a> a grant-funded rideshare program aimed at stopping people from driving drunk before it happens.<\/p>\n Uber Pushes Back On State Law Requiring Ride Sharing Vehicles To Have Illuminated Signs<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n