Thanksgiving Travelers Urged to Slow Down, Buckle Up and Drive Sober

AUSTIN, November 22, 2005 - All available DPS troopers will be patrolling Texas roadways during the Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers will be looking for drivers who are intoxicated, speeding or not properly secured—or who have passengers who are not properly secured.

“Texas travelers should know that we will be on the lookout for unsafe driving,” said Col. Thomas A. Davis, Jr., director of the DPS. “We want to make sure that everyone reaches their destination safely.”

If last year’s numbers are any indication, troopers will be very busy. During the 2004 Thanksgiving holiday period (Tuesday through Monday), DPS troopers arrested 653 people for driving while intoxicated. Troopers also wrote more than 18,800 tickets for speeding; more than 3,500 tickets for seatbelt violations; and cited more than 4,600 drivers for operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

“We would rather that Texas drivers voluntarily comply with the law than have to write them tickets,” Col. Davis said. “Besides, complying with these laws will make you—and your loved ones—safer when you travel.”

Since roads are more likely to be crowded, DPS reminds drivers to leave themselves plenty time to get where they’re going. Avoid bad driving habits that lead to road rage, such as:

• Not using turn signals
• Driving in the passing lane
• Tailgating, flashing lights or honking
• Using high beams in traffic
• Not allowing adequate time for a given trip.

When confronted with aggressive drivers, the DPS recommends that you:

• Put your pride in the back seat and move aside.
• Do not speed up, block lanes, slam or tap on brakes.
• Report extreme cases of reckless driving to the appropriate authorities.
• Do not retaliate, gesture or make eye contact.
• Make sure everyone is buckled up.

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