DPS wants drivers to make the best—and least expensive—choices as they travel during the long Labor Day weekend.

“We want the end of summer to be a memorable weekend, not your last one,” said Assistant Director David Baker, who oversees the Texas Highway Patrol. “You can start by not drinking and driving, which is a sure invitation to tragedy and expensive legal bills.”

During the Labor Day weekend holiday last year, DPS troopers arrested 715 people for driving while intoxicated, and issued more than 13,000 speeding citations and more than 2,000 seat belt and child restraint violations. In all, troopers wrote 24,618 citations and thousands of warnings to promote safe driving during the Labor Day holiday last year.

A DWI conviction stays on an offender’s criminal and driving record forever. For the first offense, the law allows a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and a one-year driver license suspension. A DWI conviction also carries a $1,000 surcharge for three years, in addition to any other fines or costs associated with the arrest.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, alcohol-related traffic crashes killed 955 people and injured nearly 18,000 more in 2009. Mixing a holiday weekend with increased traffic should be a sobering thought.

“Increased enforcement by DPS and other police agencies means the chance of getting a DWI or a ticket go up significantly on holiday weekends,” said Baker. “Maybe that will make the choice even easier.”

DPS supports TxDOT’s “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.” campaign.