BROWNSVILLE – Authorities in Cameron County want drivers to know they will be looking out for drunk drivers this holiday season.

District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said this year there’s been a spike in the number of drunk driving cases his office has prosecuted.

He said in many cases, involving young people at the wheel.

Cameron County is a non-refusal county, which means if a suspected drunk driver is pulled over and refuses to take a breathalyzer test, a warrant for a blood draw will be requested.

Saenz stresses that people cannot afford to get a DWI charge.

“Do not drink and drive. Bottom line – it’s very expensive, you can’t afford a DWI. You’re talking about going to court, paying a lawyer; you talk about if you get probation, you pay thousands of dollars in probation fees. You just don’t want that,” he said.

Saenz said if you are going to drink, consider options such as calling a cab or using other transportation services like Uber, Lyft or have a designated driver.