The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Amarillo Police Department (APD), and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) will probably be conducting a three-day DWI activity drive to fight drunk driving in Potter and Randall counties. Amarillo officers will be a part of legislation enforcement businesses throughout the state through the Memorial Day Weekend to assist preserve Texas roadways secure. The activity drive will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and conclude at 4 a.m. Monday.
Law enforcement will probably be out in full drive, searching for a variety of site visitors violations, with a major deal with detecting intoxicated drivers, in line with a information launch from DPS. Upon arrest for DWI, violators who refuse a breath take a look at will probably be topic to a blood search warrant.
DPS is reminding drivers of their responsibility to assist preserve our roadways secure. Please don’t drink and drive. If you propose to exit and devour alcohol, designate a sober driver beforehand or discover an alternate technique of journey, equivalent to a rideshare service.
APD has acquired a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant and Commercial Motor automobile Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to place extra officers on the streets over the holiday weekend. Now by Tuesday, additional officers will probably be looking out for intoxicated drivers, these failing to put on a seatbelt, rushing and/or racing, and different site visitors legislation violations.
“So far in 2022 we have had five fatal accidents which have claimed the lives of seven people,” APD stated in a launch. “The Amarillo Police Department is going to do our part over this weekend to make sure that number does not go up. … The Amarillo Police Department hopes that everyone has a safe Memorial Day Weekend.”
Safety initiatives, ideas from TxDOT
Additionally, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has a number of security initiatives underway to assist ensure everybody arrives safely to their vacation spot.
“For many Texas families, the Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of summer filled with road trips and recreation,” TxDOT says in a information launch. “Remember to take frequent breaks if traveling long distances and make use of one of our several safety rest areas and Travel Information Centers.”
![Sergeant Cindy Barkley of the Texas Department of Public Safety speaks Thursday about the kicking off of the "Click it or Ticket" campaign for Memorial Day weekend during an event held at the Texas Travel Information Center in Amarillo.](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/19/NAGN/69c47b31-70f2-482f-b197-0bafea431f42-20220519_111133.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Last week, TxDOT’s Amarillo District kicked off the twentieth anniversary of Click It or Ticket in Texas. And TxDOT’s annual “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” marketing campaign calls consideration to the protection precautions motorists should take to guard motorcyclists. TxDOT gives these life-saving security ideas for drivers to guard motorcyclists and stop crashes:
– Take additional care when making a left flip
– Pay particular consideration at intersections
– Give driving your full consideration
– Look twice when altering lanes
– Give motorcyclists room when passing them
– Stay again
– Slow down
“Texas posts speed limits so you know how fast you should drive under normal conditions,” TxDOT says within the launch. “Speed limit signs encourage you to travel at safe speeds to get you to your destination safely in the shortest possible time. Texas speed limits are the law, and they are strictly enforced across the state.” Whether you encounter climate circumstances, site visitors congestion, or development zones, comply with the following tips:
– Slow down and permit for extra distance to cease
– Look out for flashing beacons warning of intersections
– Look for pavement markings to information you
– Watch for indicators alerting you of diminished velocity limits forward
– Plan While You Can
Drivers inebriated withstand $17,000 in fines and costs, jail time, and lack of their driver’s license. Find options to consuming alcohol and driving, equivalent to:
– Designating a sober driver or calling somebody for a sober experience residence
– Contacting a cab or ride-share service
– Using mass transit
– Spending the evening
In addition to the penalties for drunk driving, HB 2502, which took impact Sept. 1, 2019, requires a decide to incorporate a minimal of 120 days of confinement when granting group supervision for the offense of leaving the scene of a crash that resulted within the loss of life of an individual.
TxDOT’s security initiatives are all key elements of #FinishTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer decisions, in reference to Nov. 7, 2000, the final deathless day on Texas roadways.