How To Travel Safely In Texas Over The Holidays

DALLAS, TX -- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has released a series of tips and insight into how you can avoid ruining your holiday season with a car accident and what efforts law enforcement will engage in to keep roads safe. DPS Troopers will conduct traffic patrols throughout the holiday weekends — Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1 — looking for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators, and other dangerous drivers, DPS said in a news release. Many local law enforcement agencies will also increase enforcement efforts over the holidays.

"The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and it's up to each and every Texan to be responsible behind the wheel so that everyone makes it home safely to their family during the holidays," DPS director Steven McCraw said in the release. "Along with other law enforcement partners across the state, DPS will be out in force to identify and remove dangerous drivers from Texas roadways this holiday season."

During the Christmas/New Year holiday enforcement effort in 2017, DPS troopers issued more than 86,000 citations and warnings for a variety of violations. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 400 DWI arrests, 359 fugitive arrests and 277 felony arrests, DPS added.

Since winter weather may be a factor during holiday travel, Texans are asked to prepare their vehicles by checking the battery, windshield wipers (including appropriate freeze resistant-fluid), tire pressure, tire tread, and fluid levels.

DPS offered the following additional tips for safe travel during the holidays:

• Do not drink and drive. Make alternate travel plans if you are consuming alcohol.
• Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas, heavy traffic and unfamiliar areas.
• Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits using a portable wireless device to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it's the law.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.
• Don't drive fatigued – allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• If you see a road hazard or if you observe anything suspicious, report it to the nearest law enforcement agency.
• On multi-lane roadways, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to only use the left lane for passing (when posted).
• Before your trip begins, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and always double check to make sure all cargo is secure.
• Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions/closings in Texas, visit https://drivetexas.org.

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