Beginning today, December 20th, the Texas Highway Patrol will run their annual holiday traffic enforcement program. The program spans through to the end of the year in order to provide traffic enforcement through Christmas and New Year. The program has multiple factors that come into play for how it will operate, with part of it being an increased number of state troopers on the road. The Texas Department of Public Safety released a press release earlier to confirm that Texans will see the higher number of state troopers out on the road. They will specifically be there to be on the lookout for drivers who are speeding, those who are not wearing a seat belt, drunk drivers, and any other sort of traffic violations.
The Department of Public Safety director stated they take extra precautions due to how busy the roads get.
Colonel Freeman Martin, the department director, continued to say in his statement that they issued a warning to Texans in order to allow them to be alert. He hopes that being warned of more state troopers on the road will prevent people from driving dangerously. He hopes that drivers put down their phones and focus solely on driving when they are the ones behind the wheel. Martin said, “If we all simply pay attention and follow the traffic laws, we can help ensure everyone makes it home safely for the holidays this year.”
The program is known as Operation CARE.
CARE is an acronym standing for Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort. Not only are Texas officials expecting more state troopers, but they are expecting more traffic violations due to the fact that there will be more state troopers and more people on the road. Last year’s Operation CARE cycle, the Department of Public Safety reported issuing out almost 103,500 citations and warnings. A majority of these were speeding citations, followed by driving without insurance, driving without a seat belt on, and driving under the influence.
Along with the warning of the program’s start, the department offered tips to staying safe.
Some tips are general rules of the road to follow, such as don’t drink and drive and move over or slow down for emergency vehicles. Others are less commonly states, such as “If You Can Steer It, Clear It.” This mantra is to say that if you end up unfortunately involved in a crash that resulted in zero injuries and your vehicle is still drivable/movable, clear the lane you are in. Avoid creating more traffic congestion and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
On some Texas highways, if you fail to pull over when it is safe to do so, you could be charged as this is a crime. Furthermore, the department wanted to emphasize eliminating distractions as best as you can and driving in the appropriate lane. Driving in the appropriate lane would be keeping right if you are traveling more slowly and leaving the left lane for passing only, when signs are posted stating that is in effect.
