AUSTIN -- Texas Highway Patrol Troopers will increase enforcement on the roads from today through Sunday, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety. Troopers will be looking for people not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to follow the "Move Over, Slow Down" law and other traffic violations.
"DPS will do its part to keep Texas safe by holding people accountable, and we want everyone who may be driving for the holiday to do their part by obeying all traffic laws, so everyone gets to their destinations unharmed," said DPS Director Steven McCraw.
During the 2020 enforcement effort, a total of 36,902 warnings and citations were issued, including 5,287 for speeding; 752 for driving without insurance; 513 for seat belt and child seat violations; and 245 violations for Move Over, Slow Down. Last year's enforcement efforts also resulted in 395 felony arrests, 205 DWI arrests and 120 fugitive arrests.
DPS offers the following safety tips for the Thanksgiving holiday:
-- Don't drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
-- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. This year alone, between Jan. 1 and Nov. 12, DPS issued 11,165 warnings and citations for violations of this law.
-- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.
-- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
-- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices.
-- If you're using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it, so you can keep your eyes on the road.
-- Drive defensively; travel can present additional challenges.
-- Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
-- On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only.
-- Don't cut in front of large trucks, and try not to brake quickly in front of them.