The roads this holiday season are under vigilant scrutiny by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and local law enforcement with a singular goal: to dissuade drivers from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Reflecting on the celebratory season, TxDOT Safety Program Manager Ruby Martinez emphasized the importance of sobriety when driving. "The holidays should be a time of joy and togetherness, not tragedy," Martinez said. Her advice for those partaking in holiday spirits remains unequivocal: "TxDOT urges drivers to never get behind the wheel after drinking any amount of alcohol," as per CBS Austin report.
In an effort to turn the tide on a grim statistic—that 28% of traffic deaths during the recent holiday period were DUI alcohol-related—TxDOT continues its "Drive Sober, No Regrets" campaign. Seeing someone attempt to drive after a drink or two, Martinez advises intervention. "Helping to prevent a potential crash is worth any temporarily awkward conversation," she impressed upon the public in a statement obtained by CBS Austin.
As part of its sustained efforts, AAA also joined in to echo TxDOT's sentiments. AAA Spokesperson Daniel Armbruster cautioned that speeding is an equally dangerous counterpart to impaired driving. "AAA studies show that just going, you know, 5, 10 miles (per hour) extra can be detrimental when it comes to traffic safety," said Armbruster during an engagement with CBS Austin.
Amidst the backdrop of festivity lingers a more personal narrative—Yolanda Carson, who, as a parent, lost a child to the very reality that these agencies are striving to prevent. Carson's daughter, Jade Jiles, was a victim of a drunk driving incident in 2013. She was helping a friend search for their dog when a drunk driver struck her, not only leaving her to die but also leaving a six-month-old son to grow up without his mother's embrace. "Do not get behind that wheel and drink and drive. It’s just not worth it. It’s devastating for a parent to lose a child," Carson shared with KXAN. In response to these tragedies, TxDOT has partnered with businesses like Walmart to bring more awareness to shoppers about the dangers of alcohol-impaired driving during the holiday season.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report this year revealing that Texas ranked third highest in the nation for alcohol-related traffic crashes based on 2022 data. This statistic is a harrowing reminder of the ongoing battle against drunk driving, a battle that TxDOT and its partners wage not only during the holiday season but throughout the year, in hopes of safer roadways for all Texans.
