More Troopers On Patrol For Drunk Drivers This July 4th
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - While the Independence Day holiday isn't until next week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is gearing up to put more highway patrol officers, conducting more drunk driving patrols.
Starting Friday, DPS will increase the number of patrols in high-risk locations, at times when alcohol-related crashes occur most often.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the July 4th holiday period among the deadliest on Texas highways, with most of the crashes related to alcohol. In a press release statement, DPS Director Steven McCraw said, "Impaired driving can quickly turn a time of celebration into a tragedy, so Texans should designate a sober driver or secure another form of transportation if they plan to drink alcohol."
DPS officials say there were some 1,294 DWI arrests during the 2012 July Fourth holiday enforcement period. During that same period troopers also handed out more than 13,000 speeding citations, and made some 750 fugitive and 500 felony arrests.
DPS troopers will begin the increased holiday enforcement on June 28, taking a particular focus on spotting individuals who may be driving impaired. The 10-day increased holiday patrol will end on July 7. A TxDOT grant will help fund the additional patrols.
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