DPS Stepping Up Patrols for the Holidays
By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: December 21, 2012
The holidays can be a deadly time on Texas roads, something DPS Troopers say they'll be out in force trying to prevent. These extra patrols start today and will go through January 1st.
"With the parties that are going on during Christmas and New Years you have alcohol so alcohol is really tied into a lot of things that people are doing," said Corporal John Gonzalez of the Department of Public Safety.
Gonzalez says they're hoping to save lives this holiday season.
"If I can stop one person and put them in jail for one day. I know one they didn't get hurt. Two, they get to see their family again and three they didn't hurt their own family or anyone else," he said.
DPS increased patrols across the state last year and caught all sorts of violations.
"Over 1,000 DWIs over 15,000 speeding violations, over 2,000 seat belt violations, over 1,000 fugitive arrests and 600 of those were over felony arrests," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says they don't want to ruin peoples' holidays, they just want to keep the roads safe.
"Its very difficult for us because most people get to have the entertainment of being with their families over the holidays. Police officers and first responders, unfortunately we are on duty because we provide a service for them. I just don't want a drunk running over my family when they are enjoying their holiday," he said.
And he's asking you to do your part.
"We're being vigilant in the enforcement part of it and we are asking and encouraging people to be vigilant with their driving techniques. Defensive driving, slowing down, buckling up, and not drinking and driving," he said.Gonzalez asks that drivers make responsible decisions especially when the road will be icy. DPS will be focusing their patrols on high risk locations such as overpasses, under-passes and curves where ice and speed can be deadly.
