Starting Monday, the Texas Department of Public Safety is stepping up DWI patrols and the enhanced enforcement period will last through Sept. 9, which includes Labor Day weekend.
The DPS said troopers will focus patrols in high-risk areas for alcohol-related crashes.
Last year DPS troopers made 1,879 DWI arrests and the agency said about 500 of those were the direct result of the increased Labor Day patrols. Also last year, DPS gave out 24,779 speeding citations, 3,890 seat belt and child safety seat citations and issued more than 4,000 tickets to drivers without insurance.
DPS reminds Texans the law requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up. State law also requires drivers to slow down to 20 mph under the speed limit or move over for tow trucks and emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their lights on. Starting Sept. 1, that law will also apply to Texas Department of Transportation vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
The increased DWI patrols are paid for through a grant from TxDOT.
Here are a few tips for driving safe over the holiday weekend:
- Don’t drink and drive. Designate a driver or take a cab
- Eliminate distractions, including the usage of mobile devices
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law
- Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic
- Don’t drive fatigued
- Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges
- Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before your trip begins
