AUSTIN (AP) – A deputy police chief in South Texas has asked legislators to consider setting up permanent DWI checkpoints to save lives.

San Antonio police Deputy Chief Anthony Trevino appeared Monday in Austin before the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

The San Antonio Express-News reports Trevino urged legislators to allow law officers to stop drivers and do routine sobriety tests near so-called drinking-and-driving “hot spots.” He says local data could be used to identify areas where such behavior is prevalent.

Trevino says San Antonio this year has had more than 7,000 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Jim Harrington with the Texas Civil Rights Project argued against the proposal, saying sobriety checkpoints allow for police manipulation and abuse of power.

The Legislature convenes in January.

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