Unique Campaign Fights Underage Drunk Driving in Austin, Texas Area

Valentine’s Day effort warned of Texas DWI in Travis and Williamson County.

Two Central Texas law enforcement agencies embarked on a creative effort to curb underage drunk driving in Austin, Texas. Motorists stopped for traffic violations in Travis and Williamson County over a five day period were presented pink flyers warning of the dangers of teenage drinking and driving.

The annual ‘Valentine's Day DWI Emphasis Campaign’ was started in response to the 1999 death of local high school student, Mandi Machen. She was a passenger in a car that crashed while being driven by a 17-year old who was DWI. The driver walked away and Machen was left to die.

During the kick-off of the 2008 campaign, Machen’s mother stated that her daughter’s death reflects the consequences of drinking and driving in Texas and hoped that underage drivers make good decisions.

In addition to city and county law enforcement involvement, the ‘Valentine's Day DWI Emphasis Campaign’ involves the Travis County Attorneys Under-Aged Drinking Prevention Program, the Williamson County Attorney’s Office and the LIFESTEPS Council.

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