Texas police agencies are stepping up enforcement efforts for the upcoming Labor Day holiday with a new initiative called “Drive Sober. No Regrets.”
The campaign is being led by TxDOT officials, who note on average a person is killed every eight hours on Texas roads due to alcohol-related accidents.
Last year, the toll was 1,100 people killed and 2.560 who were seriously injured.
“If you choose to celebrate the end of summer by drinking and driving, then know that police around the state will be on the lookout, will pull you over and arrest you,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “When you drink and drive, you put everyone else on the road at risk too. These crashes are 100 percent preventable and can have fatal and/or serious physical, emotional and financial consequences.”
The campaign coincides with the national increased enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The “Drive Sober. No Regrets” campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to wear a seat belt, drive the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
The state has not had a day without a highway death since Nov. 7, 2000.
The active enforcement period is now under way and ends Sept. 5.
