PALMVIEW, Texas — With the holidays just around the corner, TxDOT is launching the Drive Sober, No Regrets, holiday campaign to remind motorists about the dangers of drunk driving. The Palmview Police Department will join law enforcement officers across the state to ramp up efforts to identify and arrest drunk drivers from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, coinciding with the national heightened enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Thousands of Texas families are devastated by drunk driving crashes every year, and the problem gets worse during the holidays. Drunk drivers cause one in four traffic deaths across the state, and that ratio increases to 28% during the holiday period according to state statistics.
Palmview Police Chief, Jose Trevino says drinking and driving is dangerous and unacceptable. “It’s not okay as a friend or family member to go through the death of a loved one at the hands of people who are drinking and driving. It’s always possible to find a safe and sober ride home, so make it a priority any time you drink.”
Just ask the friends and family of the 126 people killed and 272 people seriously injured by drunk drivers during Thanksgiving and the holiday season last year. What’s meant to be a joyous time will never be the same for them.
Drunk driving crashes are preventable 100% of the time. If you drink any amount of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transit. You can also stay where you are until you’re sober.
Drive Sober. No Regrets. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected by TxDOT.
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