The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to help make the holidays safer by driving sober and using extra caution. DPS Troopers are being joined by local law enforcement agencies across the state in conducting traffic patrols throughout the holiday Christmas and New Year’s weekends. The patrols will be looking out especially for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other dangerous drivers.
During the 8-day Christmas and New Year’s holiday enforcement effort last year, DPS troopers made 466 DWI arrests and issued 9,174 speeding citations, and 893 seat belt and child safety seat citations. The Texas DPS also offers some tips for holiday driving: don’t drink and drive, slow down, especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic, eliminate distractions including use of mobile devices, buckle your seat belt, slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks that are alongside the road with emergency lights activated, don’t drive fatigued, drive defensively, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and check the weather forecast before your trip begins.
