Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety are warning motorists to think before they climb behind the wheel, as increased patrols and zero-tolerance policies could put a serious crimp in their holiday plans.

DPS troopers are expected to increase patrols during the post-Christmas and New Year’s holidays in an effort to make holiday travel safer on Texas roads, according to interim DPS Director Stanley E. Clark.

Of special concern, according to Clark, is drinking and driving during the holidays. Troopers also will focus on speeders and seat belt violators, with all available troopers on patrol from through Sunday, and again Wednesday and Thursday for the New Year holiday.

According to Clark, these precautions have netted plenty of holiday offenders in the past.

“During the Christmas and New Year’s holidays last year, DPS troopers issued a total of 28,000 citations and 14,000 warnings, including 919 DWI arrests, 19,612 speeding tickets and 3,379 safety restraint violations,” said Clark. “DPS statistics suggest tickets and drunken driving arrests by troopers double during holiday enforcement periods.”

Clark said the prospect of jail-time for lawbreakers will certainly serve to darken holiday spirits, but the chance to make Texas roadways a safer place to be is well worth it.

“The best present you can give to yourself and your loved ones is to make sure you arrive safely at your holiday destination—most traffic deaths are preventable,” he said. “We feel our efforts, in conjunction with increased enforcement from other agencies, will make the holidays just a little bit safer. DPS prefers voluntary compliance, but we write citations and arrest drunk drivers to save lives.”

DPS offers the following advice as gifts to the traveling public:

• Drive with courtesy, it’s contagious. Remember, it’s the holidays.

• Slow down — especially in bad weather, construction areas and heavy traffic.

• Don’t drink and drive, get a designated driver.

• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle.

• Keep cell phone chatter to a minimum, and avoid texting.

• Avoid drowsy driving.

• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.

According to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the Big Spring Police Department, one of the biggest concerns travelers should have before pulling out the driveway is the weather.

“One of the biggest factors to consider is the weather,” said Everett. “You can get road condition reports by calling the Texas Travel Information hotline at 800-452-9292, or pay close attention to the local weather channel. The Texas Department of Public Safety report all road closures to both.

“Pay close attention to bridges and overpasses during freezing weather as well. Another thing to remember is to allow extra time for travel because the high level of traffic is going to increase how long it takes to get where you’re going.”

Everett said planning your trip — as well as your route — ahead of time can really pay off in the event of an emergency.

“If you’re traveling to see family, be sure to tell them what your route will be,” said Everett. “That makes it a lot easier when we have to go out and look for someone. Also, be sure to keep emergency items in the vehicle, such as first-aid kits and blankets.

“No one wants to think about what can go wrong out on the road, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it