Authorities announced plans to launch a month-long initiative to reduce drunk driving accidents in the Houston area beginning June 10.

The Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving announced the initiative at a press conference Wednesday. The increased effort to prevent alcohol-related crashes begins Friday and will last through the July Fourth weekend.

More than 23 regional law enforcement agencies spanning three counties committed to having an increased presence in the Houston-Metropolitan area to target intoxicated drivers. According to officials with the Houston Police Department, the initiative is designed to reduce drunk driving accidents and associated fatalities by a combination of public education and heightened enforcement of drunk driving offenses.

The initiative was spurred by a recent report that Harris County leads the nation in alcohol-related fatalities.

If you have been charged with DUI or DWI in Houston, please contact the Houston Drunk Driving Attorneys of Johnson Johnson & Baer, P.C., by calling 713-222-0400.