During the Independence Day Holiday, the Texas Highway Patrol will conduct focused DWI patrols in high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent. The enhanced patrols target impaired driving and are funded through a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

The increased patrols are scheduled for June 27 through July 6. All available DPS troopers will patrol during this time to keep the traveling public safer by keeping drunk drivers off the roadways.

“Highway travel increases during the Fourth of July holiday, and we want to make sure that everyone is driving sober and getting to their destinations safely,” said Chief David G. Baker, the DPS assistant director of the Texas Highway Patrol. “Anyone who plans on drinking, should also plan on having someone else drive them home.”

Troopers are also participating in Operation Holiday and Operation C.A.R.E. from July 1 to July 4, both of which provide increased patrol to make holiday travel safer. In addition to looking for drunk drivers, troopers will focus on seat belt violators and speeders.

Last year during the extended holiday weekend, DPS troopers made 617 DWI arrests, issued 8,882 speeding citations and ticketed more than 1,600 seat belt and child safety seat violators.

With the ongoing drought and the high-risk of wildfires, DPS asks that all drivers avoid tossing cigarettes out of their vehicle. Drivers should also avoid stopping or parking vehicles in grass, which can catch fire when it comes in contact with an automobile’s catalytic converter.