As Texans prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced enhanced traffic enforcement measures to ensure road safety during one of the year's busiest travel periods. According to Click2Houston, law enforcement will be active from Wednesday through Sunday, with troopers monitoring for violations such as seat belt infractions, drunk driving, speeding, and failure to comply with the Move Over, Slow Down law.
"With Thanksgiving around the corner, we remind everyone to stay vigilant on the roads," DPS Director Steven McCraw stated. The official DPS news release also highlights the importance of staying alert and cautious to help ensure a safe holiday for all travelers. This reminder follows the 41,093 warnings and citations issued during last year's holiday enforcement, which included violations such as speeding and drunk driving, resulting in multiple arrests.
To safeguard Texans on their journeys, DPS has shared several critical safety tips. They advise against drinking and driving and stress the importance of eliminating distractions such as using mobile devices, which violates Texas law. Additionally, DPS emphasizes the Move Over or Slow Down rule that has so far been violated more than 9,284 times in 2024 according to Click2Houston. Other recommendations include the proper use of seat belts, driving defensively, abiding by lane-passing laws, and being cautious around large trucks.
In the event of a traffic incident, DPS advises using the Steer It, Clear It principle, encouraging drivers involved in non-injury crashes to move their vehicles when safe, to minimize the impact on traffic—one of the several safety strategies detailed in the DPS release. Alongside these guidelines, Texans are reminded to keep the roadside assistance number handy and to stay vigilant by reporting any suspicious activities through the iWatchTexas program, especially since communal gatherings like parades and festivals increase during this period.
