In addition to their traditional increased patrols for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Texas Highway Patrol will conduct focused DWI patrols in high-risk locations during the times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent. These special DWI patrols are thanks to a TxDOT grant targeting impaired driving.

The targeted DWI patrols will run from Tuesday, Dec. 21, to Saturday, Jan. 1.

Highway Patrol troopers also will have all available troopers out patrolling Texas highways from Friday, Dec. 24, to midnight on Sunday, Dec. 26.

“We’d prefer that drivers obey the traffic laws on their own, but we’ll be out on the roads to ensure that travelers are as safe as possible,” said David Baker, Assistant Director for the Texas Highway Patrol. “We’ll be looking for intoxicated drivers, as well as speeders and seatbelt violators.”

During the Christmas holiday last year, DPS troopers arrested 350 drivers for DWI and issued 9,212 speeding tickets and 658 safety restraint violations.

DPS offers the following advice for holiday travel:

• Drive with courtesy; it’s contagious. Remember, it’s the holidays!!!
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.
• Slow down—especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.
• Don’t drink and drive; get a designated driver.
• Keep cell phone chatter to a minimum. Don’t text and drive.
• Avoid drowsy driving.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
• Be sure to turn on your headlights in inclement weather.