Stop DWI Billboard Issue

The Tall City and Midland County's drinking and driving policy is on display for the entire community to see. A billboard off Highway 80 and Loop 250 makes it clear that drunk driving won’t be tolerated in the Basin. The billboard has been calling attention to drinking and driving for more than 15 years, but probably the most important part on it is wrong. The number people need to call for help.

"I do have to get that number changed. The correct number is (432) 687-1355. I will work with Lamar to get that changed,” said Midland Stop DWI Director Charles Hodges.

Hodges said the non -profit organization changed its number in 2005, but never got around to switching it on the billboard. The billboard originated after Stop DWI purchased camcorder cameras for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Midland.

“I think it gets peoples attention," said one person.

Although the number has been wrong for a couple of years, Hodges knows it grabs the attention of a lot of people. Hodges said he receives e-mails from those that have seen it. But, not everyone thinks it’s affective.

“I think its going to have no affect. People are going to do what they want to do," said a Midlander.

Kaitlin Wingo, 18, lost three of her friends in drinking and driving accidents. She’s hopes people will pay attention to the sign.

"It's really sad, like I want to go talk to those people in some situations, but I can't because they are not there," she said.