LAGUNA VISTA — Laguna Vista is small.
As a close-knit town, officials care for their citizens. With that care comes a message — stay safe during the Labor Day weekend.
Tips for the holiday weekend coincide with the town’s Laguna Vista CARES “Don’t Drive Distracted” campaign.
The campaign seeks to remind drivers not to get distracted while driving.
“With more traffic anticipated the Labor Day weekend, we at the Town of Laguna Vista want to remind people of this,” City Manager Rolando Vela said.
Laguna Vista CARES “Don’t Drive Distracted” banners are set up on the corner of FM 510 and Highway 100 and on FM 510 to remind people about the importance of paying attention to the road and not becoming distracted.
Thousands of people regularly drive through these areas on a daily basis. This is an ongoing educational campaign because the town wants to educate people on the dangers of distracted people, Vela said.
The awareness campaign runs through Sept 29. It is supported by the town’s overall community-wide branding and message campaign, Laguna Vista CARES.
“The assumption is often made that distracted driving only occurs when a driver is using a mobile phone,” Vela said.
“Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving where distractions endanger the driver, passenger and bystanders.
“Distractions can be many and include those such as texting, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, personal grooming, emotional situations, loud radios and many others.”
The aim is to raise awareness and to further educate local residents as well as those who regularly drive by, through or on Highway 100 and FM 510.
“We want people to not be distracted while driving. This is a serious problem that is only getting worse. We care about our local residents and we care about those that drive by our community every single day,” Mayor Susie Houston said.
“We hope that with this ‘Don’t Drive Distracted’ campaign that drivers will think twice about texting, eating and drinking or grooming and doing other things while driving.”
The awareness campaign includes several visuals posted around town and on social media.
All around town, residents will be able to see that Laguna Vista CARES through “Don’t Drive Distracted” magnetic signs and bumper stickers will be on the patrol units and town vehicles, banners and signs will be set up around town and bumper stickers will be made available to the public.
“The town is going through a positive transformation, and we want people to see how beautiful our community truly is,” Houston said.
