DWI crackdown begins as rodeo cook-off kicks off

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A "no refusal" rodeo round-up is underway as a record breaking crowd departs from the first night of the 2015 Houston Rodeo cook-off.

During the initiative, suspected drunk drivers are ordered to give a court-ordered blood alcohol sample if they refuse a breath alcohol test.

"Thursday night is the only night to come," said Carrie Schadle. "We 'Ubered' it here. And we are going to hopefully Uber it back home."

Schadle said she had her exit plan already in place before she left her home to attend the first day of the rodeo cook-ff.

"It took a little while for us to get a car, but once we got one, it was at the house in about 10 minutes," said Schadle.

This year, Uber is making it's official premiere at Rodeo Houston with it's own pick-up line in the teal parking lot located on Kirby.

"Uber is huge for us," said Rodeo Houston rep. Harry Miller. "It's going to get legs every year and we think that line may actually work in tangent with the taxi line. And we can get people in an out quicker, a lot quicker."

Right now, police aren't place and are looking for drunk drivers. According to the Harris County sheriffs office, 70 people were arrested for DWI last year during the rodeo season. Many of those arrested for first-time offenders. Nine people were killed in alcohol related crashes.

This year, deputies may actually make fewer public intoxication arrest.

"It's something new. It will eliminate most of the drinking and driving home," said Lawrence Bell. "They catch them before they get to their car, catch them for public intoxication."

The decision deputies will give, go to jail or go to a Houston Silver Center for the night.

Houston Rodeo representative announced on Twitter, this year's first cook off day broke a record for attendance at more than 41,000 people.