TxDOT Launches Holiday P.A.S.S. Campaign
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: December 19, 2012
TxDOT and local law enforcement agencies are ramping up their efforts to combat the devastation caused by drinking and driving.
Patsy Walls, a TxDOT representative, says, "Safety is a top priority for us at TxDOT and we're asking Texans to make a commitment to safe, sober driving this holiday season."
They're doing that through the launch of a new campaign, Holiday P.A.S.S., reminding you to only let a "person appointed to stay sober" get behind the wheel.
Local law enforcement agencies are standing behind TxDOT's initiative.
Todd Lewis, DPS trooper, says, "We're going to have extra patrols out. We'll have extra officers out as well, and extra long shifts."
Melvin Joyner, PIO for the Wichita County Sheriff's Office, says, "The Wichita County Sheriff's Office will be out in full force this holiday season. Our primary duties will be looking for people who are intoxicated. We want to make it a safe holiday for everyone."
Lieutenant Carl Little with the WFPD says, "The main we want to do is make sure everyone has a good holiday season and arrives home safely. We are more than happy to meet anyone out on the roads that is drinking and driving."
During last year's holiday season, Dec. 1, 2011 through Jan. 1, 2012, 2,462 alcohol-related crashes were reported in the state.
Those resulted in 842 serious injuries, and 72 fatalities.
TxDOT representatives say all of those accidents could have been avoided if the drivers would have found someone sober to give them a ride home.
Law enforcement officials say they'll work thousands of extra hours this holiday season, to make sure you won't become a statistic.
Patsy Walls, a TxDOT representative, says, "Safety is a top priority for us at TxDOT and we're asking Texans to make a commitment to safe, sober driving this holiday season."
They're doing that through the launch of a new campaign, Holiday P.A.S.S., reminding you to only let a "person appointed to stay sober" get behind the wheel.
Local law enforcement agencies are standing behind TxDOT's initiative.
Todd Lewis, DPS trooper, says, "We're going to have extra patrols out. We'll have extra officers out as well, and extra long shifts."
Melvin Joyner, PIO for the Wichita County Sheriff's Office, says, "The Wichita County Sheriff's Office will be out in full force this holiday season. Our primary duties will be looking for people who are intoxicated. We want to make it a safe holiday for everyone."
Lieutenant Carl Little with the WFPD says, "The main we want to do is make sure everyone has a good holiday season and arrives home safely. We are more than happy to meet anyone out on the roads that is drinking and driving."
During last year's holiday season, Dec. 1, 2011 through Jan. 1, 2012, 2,462 alcohol-related crashes were reported in the state.
Those resulted in 842 serious injuries, and 72 fatalities.
TxDOT representatives say all of those accidents could have been avoided if the drivers would have found someone sober to give them a ride home.
Law enforcement officials say they'll work thousands of extra hours this holiday season, to make sure you won't become a statistic.
