DPS STRESSES TRAFFIC SAFETY OVER HOLIDAYS

  

The Texas Department of Public Safety says state troopers will be out in full force over the Christmas and New Year's holiday weekends, focusing on drunken drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other dangerous driving during its traffic patrols.

State Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw says impaired driving or reckless behavior on the road can transform holiday celebrations into tragedies.

In a similar effort during the holiday period a year ago, state troopers made 466 arrests for driving while intoxicated, wrote 9,174 speeding tickets and cited 893 drivers for seat belt and child safety seat violations. They also made 320 fugitive arrests and 286 felony arrests.

The emphasis this year will be from Friday through Dec. 26, and again from Dec. 31 through Jan. 1.