The Heat is On! Texas DPS Starts 2 Campaigns Aimed to Slow You Down

The heat is on this weekend in Central Texas. I don't just mean the blazing hot temps, either. Heads up - you will see a heavy presence from the Texas Department of Public Safety's Highway Patrol.

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Slow it down. Don't ruin yours or someone else's holiday weekend.

4th of July Weekend Travel

AAA predicts that around 48 million people will be traveling 50 miles or more this 4th of July weekend. That number is up almost 4% from last year. What may be even more surprising is the 42 million people are predicted to be traveling by car.

Despite the high gas prices, folks are looking to get out and enjoy the 4th.

4th of July Travel in Texas

You can bet that families on camping trips, on a run to the coast to soak up the sun at the beach, or those looking to visit some family and friends will have the Texas roads packed with vehicles this weekend. With that said, you can also expect a more visible presence from the Texas Highway Patrol.

Operation Holiday

One of the two campaigns the TDPS Highway Patrol is launching this weekend is "Operation Holiday", which will run from July 2-4. TDPS Highway Patrol will be looking for those who are  speeding, not wearing their seat belts, drunk driving, and violating any other traffic laws. During the 2021 campaign there were more than 55,000 citations issued including 298 people arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort

Also called C.A.R.E., This campaign runs July 1-4 and will focus on reducing the number of crashes that occur when drivers don't adhere to the “slow down" and "move over" law which requires all drivers to slow down when police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks are stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated.

KXXV reports that according to Texas DPS, there were more than 4,400 deaths on Texas roadways last year making 2021 the deadliest over the last 30 years.

Everyone wants to have fun and enjoy the holiday weekend but we should all do it safely.