DPS Steps Up Enforcement on Texas Highways Throughout Holidays – CBS Dallas / Fort Price

AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – The Texas Department of Public Security’s annual Christmas and New Years enforcement campaigns began on Wednesday, December 23rd.

DPS reminds drivers to responsibly celebrate the Christmas season by practicing safe driving habits and complying with all traffic rules.

“Another year is drawing to a close, and while there are many reasons to celebrate, we must all remember to do so responsibly to keep our roads safer,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “DPS Troopers will be stepping up patrols during the vacation, as are many of our law enforcement colleagues across the state, and we will be on the lookout for drivers who violate the law and put others at risk. Public safety is our top priority and we encourage all drivers to put safety first as they celebrate this holiday season. “

As part of two Operation Holiday initiatives, the DPS Troopers will step up enforcement from Wednesday, December 23 through Saturday, December 26 and Thursday, December 31 through Friday, January 1.

At the same time, the nationwide initiative Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) is running from December 23rd to January 3rd.

The goal of these efforts is to improve road safety in Texas. DPS Troopers will look for drivers who break the law, including those who are accelerating, driving drunk, not wearing a seat belt, driving uninsured, and failing to comply with state run over and slow down law, among other things.

A total of more than 169,000 warnings and quotes were issued during the DPS efforts to enforce the 2019 Christmas and New Year holidays, including 15,786 expedited quotes. 2,105 violations of seat belts and child seats; 3,465 citations for driving without insurance; and 1,300 for violations of Move Over, Slow Down.

Last year’s enforcement efforts also resulted in 787 DWI arrests, 609 criminal offenses and 555 volatile arrests.

DPS offers the following safety tips for the holiday season:

Don’t drink and drive. Make alternative plans if you consume alcohol.

Move over or slow down for police, fire, ambulance, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles, and tow trucks parked on the side of the road with emergency lights on. Show the same courtesy to other drivers stopped by the roadside. In this year alone, the DPS issued 12,457 warnings and quotes about violations of this law between January 1 and December 8.

Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law.

Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.

Avoid distractions while driving, including using mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write, or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a sat nav or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep an eye on the road.

Ride defensively as vacation travel can present additional challenges.

Do not drive tired – allow enough time to reach your destination.

On multi-lane roads, use the left lane only for overtaking. It’s not just polite to drive and avoid traffic delays. Texas law dictates that slower traffic stay on the right and use the left lane only for overtaking (if signposted).

If you can steer, put it out: if you’re in an uninjured accident and your vehicle can be moved, clear the lanes to minimize the impact on traffic. Leaving vehicles in one lane increases the traffic load and puts those at risk of damage or secondary wreckage. On some highways, it is against the law not to move your vehicle when it is safe to do so.

Check your vehicle for proper maintenance and always make sure your cargo is safe.

Report any road hazards or suspicious items to the nearest law enforcement agency.

Monitor the weather and road conditions wherever you are. For information on Texas road conditions and closings, see Drive Texas.

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