Highway Safety
DPS to increase patrols for Fourth of July weekend

KVUE — The Department of Public Safety will be out in full force for the next 10 days, keeping roads safe over the Independence Day holiday.
The days surrounding the Fourth of July are some of the most deadly when it comes to alcohol-related crashes, according to DPS. The department plans to do something about it.
Troopers will be out looking for drunk drivers as part of a special patrol starting Friday, and ending on July 7, the 10 days surrounding the July 4th holiday. They'll focus on high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related accidents are most common.
The extra patrols are funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, a program both agencies say has been very successful.
During the 2012 Fourth of July enforcement effort, DPS troopers made 1,294 DWI arrests; 361 of those arrests were the direct result of the increased patrols. DPS also gave out 13,700 speeding citations during the same period.
The director of DPS wants to remind drivers that there are options to enjoy the holiday safely. You can find a designated driver, take a taxi, or use public transportation. Just do not drink and drive.
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