Austin American Statesman Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016
Beginning Friday, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will be on the lookout Labor Day weekend for impaired drivers, speeders and safety belt violations, the agency says.
“Texans are killed on our roadways every day because of reckless drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking, and DPS works around-the-clock to help prevent these tragedies,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a statement Thursday. “We are urging drivers to do their part by strictly obeying traffic laws and finding alternative transportation if they plan to drink.”
Last year’s effort to curb dangerous driving during the Labor Day holiday yielded 488 arrests on charges of driving while intoxicated, 8,515 speeding citations, 1,091 seat belt/child safety seat citations and 1,062 no insurance citations, DPS said.
Troopers also made 278 fugitive arrests and 224 felony arrests during the same period.
DPS recommends taking these steps to ensure a safe Labor Day holiday:
• Don’t drink and drive; designate a driver or take a cab.
• Eliminate distractions, including the usage of mobile devices.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.
• Slow down, especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
• Slow down or move over for police, fire and EMS vehicles as well as tow trucks and TxDOT vehicles on the side of the road with emergency lights on
• Slow down for motorists on the side of the road or move over a lane if it is safe to do so.
• Don’t drive fatigued.
• Drive defensively
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before your trip.
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