Posted: Fri, 28 May 2010 10:04 AM - 11,940 Readers

By: Austin-American Statesman

Law enforcement agencies will be increasing enforcement of driving and boating while intoxicated as well as seat belt and speeding laws over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Texas Department of Public Safety will have every available trooper patrolling highways looking for violators from 6 p.m. Friday to midnight Monday, spokeswoman Tela Mange said.

Austin police will increase patrols on roads and on Lake Austin from 2 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday, officials said.

Austin police said there won’t be a so-called no-refusal initiative held this weekend, in which drunken driving suspects have their blood tested under a search warrant if they refuse to give a breath or blood specimen.

Austin police also said personal watercraft will be banned on Lake Austin beginning at sunset Friday and ending at sunrise Tuesday.

“The annual ban on personal watercraft is necessary to ensure the safety of the large number of people that make use of the lake and parks over the Memorial Day holiday weekend,” Austin police said in a statement.