New laws went into effect: here’s how they affect you.
Key Takeaway:
On September 1, 2025, 835 new Texas laws went into effect. Most won’t affect your daily commute—but six do. From rental car refunds to tougher DWI penalties, here’s what Texas drivers and families need to know.
Police can now execute warrants for blood draws across county lines.
Key Takeaway:
Senate Bill 1886 allows peace officers to execute blood draw warrants across county lines in DWI and intoxication-related cases. The goal is to reduce delays and strengthen evidence collection.
Penalties for intoxication manslaughter have increased as of September 1, 2025.
Key Takeaway:
Under House Bill 2017, undocumented immigrants convicted of intoxication manslaughter in Texas now face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison—a sharp increase from the previous 2-year minimum.
The penalties for DWIs in Texas school zones increased on September 1, 2025.
Key Takeaway:
Under Senate Bill 826, a DWI in a school crossing zone is now a state jail felony if it occurs during reduced-speed hours. Before, most first-time DWIs were misdemeanors. The law raises the stakes significantly when children’s safety is at risk.
When is a bar responsible for a drunk driver?
Key Takeaway:
You may be entitled to compensation if your teen is injured on prom night.
Prom night is one of the most anticipated milestones of high school. Whether you’re a teen getting ready to dance the night away or a parent helping pick the perfect outfit, it’s a night filled with excitement. But amidst the glamour and celebration, it’s important to recognize that prom night can also bring serious risks—especially when it comes to teen driving and alcohol consumption.
Alcohol and driving don’t mix.
Between 2018 and 2022, the NHTSA recorded a total of 209 DUI-related deaths during St. Patrick’s Day. 74 fatalities happened in 2022 alone.
Texas drivers are among the most likely to drive drunk in the nation.
Another Forbes Advisor study has analyzed the fatal accidents across the 50 states to find out which states have the worst drivers, and Texas is among the highest in the nation.
Choose safer habits this holiday season and start the new year with no regrets.
Everybody knows that driving drunk is dangerous, illegal, and just plain stupid. Yet, especially in San Antonio, drunk driving is still a major problem affecting even our government officials.
Here at Carabin Shaw, we are concerned about making Texas roads safer and our state an even better place to live. Kxan reports that in Austin, “On average, more than 11 people have died each day in traffic-related accidents on Texas roadways in 2021, state transportation leaders said Thursday. Each of these deaths has contributed to the state’s nearly 21-year streak of at least one traffic death per day.”
Bob Kaufman, the Texas Department of Transportation chief communications officer, stated. “We have a real crisis in our state,”
On Thursday, in a conference, the Texas Department of Transportation officials (DOT) broke down avoidable components that have given rise to more than two decades worth of traffic fatalities. The Texas Department of Transportation official, Michael Chacon, stated on Thursday that there were 3,556 fatalities statewide in 2021. In 2020, 3,896 individuals lost their lives in fatal traffic accidents in Texas. The total deaths figure was the highest it’s been in almost 30 years.
Texas Injury Lawyers Blog