As Spring Break and St. Patrick's Day lure travelers across the Lone Star State, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is ramping up road patrols starting this weekend. The aim is straightforward - to keep the roads safe and drivers sober. An announcement by DPS, sourced by DPS News, details the enforcement stretch from March 8 to March 17. Expect more eyes on the road for speeding, seat belt violations, and other traffic infractions.
"Spring break brings more travelers to Texas and making sure our roads are safe has to be a top priority," DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin said, in a statement reminding motorists of their responsibility. Last year, the THP's Spring Break push resulted in over 52,793 citations and warnings. Included in the enforcement effort, Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) underscores a nationwide pursuit for safer highways. Earning their paychecks, troopers handed out more than 16,360 speeding tickets and took 463 individuals into custody on felony and fugitive arrests, as reported by the DPS release.
Among the Texas travel tips, DPS advocates for sober driving arrangements and the cessation of mobile device distractions. Encouraging vigilance, they also remind of the necessity to Move Over or Slow Down for stopped emergency vehicles—a law that was violated over 2,194 times already in 2025. Buckling up, slowing down in various conditions, and being defensive on the road are part of DPS's script for a secure trip. They also emphasized the importance of only using the left lane for passing on multi-lane roads, as required by Texas law.
For motorists entangled in minor accidents without injury, DPS advises following the "Steer It, Clear It" practice to reduce secondary accidents. Assistance on Texas roadsides can be requested at 1-800-525-5555, a number etched on the reverse of every Texas Driver License for easy reference. With the surge of springtime traffic, DPS also underscores the pertinence of being observant for potential human trafficking, providing a series of warning signs to travelers. When encountering such situations, they plead for calls to 911, but not at personal risk, as emphasized by the Texas safety campaign. Texans can also report harbingers of illegal activity using the iWatchTexas system, which is designed to help stymie nefarious activities during large public gatherings.
With springtime festivities beckoning, DPS's augmented presence mirrors last year's vigilance, prepared to intercept the intoxicated and untethered. Informed by the looming memories of yesteryear's enforcement actions, the message is clear: Be safe, be smart, and expect to see more uniformed troopers dotting Texas roadways this break.
