DWI's are on the rise in Abilene, so far this year, Abilene Police have made nearly 400 drunk driving arrests.

"This senseless," said Sgt. Keith Shackelford, with the Abilene Police Department, "it is a 100% preventable crime!"

Among them are several multiple DWI offenders, including one man who arrested fifteen times for the same offense.

"It's very simple," said Sgt. Shackelford, "if you've been drinking at all, don't drive!"

Although local law enforcement works hard to get drunk drivers off the street, they can't do it alone. APD officers say this means watching out for your loved ones, and taking away the keys even before they reach the legal limit.

"We have to be able to police ourselves as a community," said Sgt. Shackelford.

Sergeant Shackelford says drivers who are arrested for 3 or more DWI could face 2-10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There's also some serious financial consequences for drivers who want their license back, but this doesn't compare to the ultimate consequence, getting into an accident.

"Because if it's your family that gets hurt," said said Sgt. Shackelford, "it's too late to say I wish I had, or I wish I had not."

Officers here in town have not seen a fatal drunk driving accident in quite some time, but despite the city's luck this year, it's not something everyone can bank on.