AUSTIN, TX — With Thanksgiving right around the corner, a DPS Trooper might be as well.
Beginning Nov. 25, as part of the nationwide Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) initiative, DPS Troopers will be increase patrols through Sunday, Nov. 29
DPS Troopers will be looking for drivers who violate the law including:
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failure to wear a seat belt
- Driving without insurance
- Non-compliance with statewide "Move Over, Slow Down" law, among other traffic violations
“The holidays may look different this year, but it is still up to each of us to obey traffic laws and make safety our top priority behind the wheel.”said DPS Director Steven McCraw.
In 2019, DPS's added enforcement efforts lead to a total 59,146 citations & warnings for violations including:
- 6,460 - speeding
- 716 - seat belt and child seat
- 1,247 - driving without insurance
- 406 - Move Over, Slow Down
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, tow trucks, and other drivers stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Slow down & drive defensively
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices.
- Don’t drive sleepy — allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
- On multi-lane roadways, use the left lane for passing only. Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
- If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
- Report road hazards or anything suspicious
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling.
