While police departments typically campaign against drunk driving during the holidays, Mission police are attempting to turn the practice into a year-round thing.
“That’s what our chief wants,” Investigator Art Flores said of Mission Police Chief Cesar Torres.
The department will be setting up four signs and displaying totaled vehicles at four different locations throughout the Mission area.
The first is displayed outside of Sharyland High School to show students the dangers of driving while intoxicated and because such instances aren’t exclusive to the holiday season, Mission police plan on leaving the displays up year-round.
“Alcohol, drugs affect more than just you,” the sign reads. “Mission cares.”
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas saw 48,641 traffic crashes in 2021 during the holiday season which resulted in 433 fatalities and 1,695 serious injuries.
“Almost a quarter of those deaths – 23% – were DUI-alcohol related with 98 people killed and 236 people seriously injured in drunk driving crashes,” a TxDOT release said.
On a local level, according to TxDOT Pharr District, there were 25,299 traffic crashes which resulted in 132 fatalities and 715 serious injuries in 2021.
Last year’s holiday season saw 111 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes which resulted in three fatalities and 10 serious injuries.
TxDOT is currently running their “Drive safe. No regrets.” and bringing it to McAllen with an event this Saturday that’ll include a holiday display outside La Plaza Mall, located at 2200 S. 10th Street.
One can find the event at the exterior area in front of the Yard House restaurant on the north side of the mall.
The event will run from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and will feature video stories of offenders and survivors of drunk driving where they’ll narrate the daily consequences of driving while intoxicated they have to live with.
A drunk driving simulator, a holiday-themed cornhole game, an eight-foot tall reindeer and a festive selfie wall will also be included at the event.
The public service announcement videos featured at the event will also be available online for those interested at www.soberrides.org/media-center.
