Labor Day Choices Shouldn’t Be Hard Work

AUSTIN, September 2, 2010 - DPS wants drivers to make the best—and least expensive—choices as they travel during the long Labor Day weekend.

“We want the end of summer to be a memorable weekend, not your last one,” said
Assistant Director David Baker, who oversees the Texas Highway Patrol. “You can start
by not drinking and driving, which is a sure invitation to tragedy and expensive legal
bills.”

During the Labor Day weekend holiday last year, DPS troopers arrested 715 people for
driving while intoxicated, and issued more than 13,000 speeding citations and more
than 2,000 seat belt and child restraint violations. In all, troopers wrote 24,618 citations
and thousands of warnings to promote safe driving during the Labor Day holiday last
year.

A DWI conviction stays on an offender’s criminal and driving record forever. For the first
offense, the law allows a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and a one-year
driver license suspension. A DWI conviction also carries a $1,000 surcharge for three
years, in addition to any other fines or costs associated with the arrest.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, alcohol-related traffic crashes
killed 955 people and injured nearly 18,000 more in 2009. Mixing a holiday weekend
with increased traffic should be a sobering thought.

“Increased enforcement by DPS and other police agencies means the chance of getting
a DWI or a ticket go up significantly on holiday weekends,” said Baker. “Maybe that will
make the choice even easier.”

DPS supports TxDOT’s “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.” campaign.