Published: July 02, 2009 04:07 pm      

DPS urges safety on holiday trips

AUSTIN - Texas drivers are urged to drive safely during the July 4 holiday weekend, but if they don’t they should be prepared to be pulled over.

Starting today and going through midnight Sunday, Texas Highway Patrol troopers will be out in force, looking for people who are driving drunk, speeding or not wearing safety belts, according to a DPS release.

“Texans can avoid jail by driving sober. Designate a sober driver before the drinking starts and make sure the driver stays sober,” said Highway Patrol chief David Baker. “We want to make sure people are safe. It’s important also to make sure that everyone is properly secured by seat belts or in car seats or booster seats.”

Last year during the extended holiday weekend, DPS troopers made 772 driving while intoxicated arrests and issued 12,918 speeding citations. During that same weekend, they issued 3,026 tickets for safety belt violations and 434 for child safety seat violations.

Troopers are participating in Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort)—a nationwide campaign by state police agencies to reduce fatalities during holiday periods. They are also participating in Operation Holiday—a statewide effort by law enforcement to reduce fatalities during holiday weekends.