Last yr, one in 4 traffic deaths on Texas roads have been caused by drunk drivers, in accordance with state knowledge.
In addition, Texas noticed 25,261 general drunk driving-related traffic crashes in 2021 — a rise of 9% from the earlier yr.
In 2021, there have been 384 alcohol-related traffic crashes through the Fourth of July vacation time interval, leading to 18 fatalities and 51 critical accidents.
With these statistics in thoughts and with the Independence Day vacation approaching, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching its summer season “Faces of Drunk Driving” impaired driving prevention marketing campaign this summer season throughout the state to encourage Texans to not drink and drive and to all the time select a sober experience.
The marketing campaign reminds Texas motorists that the human toll of a drunk driving crash can ceaselessly devastate the lives of victims and survivors.
The marketing campaign options video testimonial tales — in English and Spanish — of Texans who deal day by day with the results of a drunk driving-related crash, both as offenders or survivors.
These tales and drunk driving info will also be discovered at www.soberrides.org
“Every crash and every death caused by a drunk driver is 100% preventable,” stated TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We hope these personal accounts from real offenders and survivors wake people up to the consequences of drinking and driving. Always get a sober ride through a designated driver, taxi, rideshare app, or calling a friend — or simply stay where you are.”
A chosen driver isn’t the one that’s had the fewest alcoholic drinks. It’s the one that hasn’t had any alcohol in any respect.
For people beneath 21, it’s unlawful to drink alcohol. And the Zero Tolerance Law states that it’s additionally unlawful for folks beneath 21 to drive with any hint of alcohol of their system.
A DWI might be costly and trigger authorized hassles, problem discovering or holding a job, loss of belief from family members, and remorse.
It might price as much as $17,000 in fines and costs, jail time and a driver’s license loss.
The Faces of Drunk Driving marketing campaign is a crucial piece of the bigger “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” marketing campaign, which is a key element of #FinishTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer selections whereas behind the wheel, like carrying a seat belt, driving the velocity restrict, by no means texting and driving and by no means driving beneath the affect of alcohol or different medicine.
According to state knowledge, Nov. 7, 2000, was the final deathless day on Texas roadways.