As holiday festivities increase, so too does the plea for responsibility behind the wheel. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is doubling down on efforts to prevent drunk driving tragedies during this season. According to TxDOT, December holds the grim record for the highest number of crashes caused by drunk driving in Texas. The 2024 holiday season saw more than 2,000 alcohol-related crashes, a figure TxDOT is determined to drastically reduce.
TxDOT is urging residents to embody the state's values of kindness and safety by always choosing a sober ride. "Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe. That means always getting a sober ride," TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said in a statement. With the advent of the holiday season, the specter of empty chairs at family tables serves as a poignant reminder of lives lost due to impaired driving.
The emotional cost of these preventable incidents is immeasurable. One such story is that of Charisse Thomas, whose daughter Destani was tragically killed in a 2020 drunk driving crash. "Every day, I sit at a table with an empty chair," Thomas recounted. The driver responsible for the tragedy was a 22-year-old who had been binge drinking, receiving a four-year prison term, while Thomas’ family grapples with a permanent void.
To sidestep future holiday tragedies, TxDOT recommends never to drive after consuming any amount of alcohol and suggests designating a sober driver, using public transportation, ridesharing, or staying put until sobriety returns. As part of their "Drive Sober. No Regrets." campaign, TxDOT is also taking to Walmart stores with an interactive exhibit and is planning a heavy presence in media with PSAs and a heightened law enforcement period from Dec. 12 through Jan. 1.
All these efforts align with the TxDOT’s initiative "Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe." and focus on fostering a culture of mutual respect and responsibility on the roads. It's a call to the heart of every Texan to play a part in the well-being of their community. More information on the campaign can be found on their website, which advocates for thoughtful choices behind the wheel and the impact they can have on each other’s safety.
