OP / ED
Thousands of Texas families are devastated by drunk driving crashes every year, and the problem gets worse during the holidays. In fact, one in four traffic deaths across the state are caused by drunk drivers, and that ratio increases to 28% during the holiday period.
When asked in a Texas Department of Transportation survey, the majority of participants who admitted to driving after drinking said they’ve most often done so after being at a friend’s house.
That’s why over the next few weeks, TxDOT is reaching people as they’re buying beverages for holiday get-togethers. Tx-DOT will bring its mobile interactive exhibit to Walmart stores to engage and remind shoppers about the deadly dangers of drinking and driving.
“It’s not okay to drink and drive,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “It’s not okay for a friend or family member to go through the death of a loved one at the hands of people who are drinking and driving. It’s always possible to find a safe and sober ride home, so make it a priority any time you drink.”
Just ask the friends and family of the 126 people killed and 272 people seriously injured by drunk drivers during Thanksgiving and the holiday season last year. What’s meant to be a joyous time will never be the same for them.
Yolanda Carson of Mansfield, Texas, knows that pain all too well. She lost her 23-year-old daughter, Jade Jiles, in a 2013 drunk driving-related crash. Jade was rescuing a friend’s blind dog who’d run into the street when an impaired driver struck and killed them both.
“Our family continues to be devastated by Jade’s passing. She had such a bright future ahead of her. She was working two jobs to pay for college, with plans of becoming a teacher. She also had a six-month-old son named Jacob,” Yolanda said. “She’ll never get a chance to step into the classroom or watch her son grow up. All because someone made the choice of getting behind the wheel after drinking.”
Drunk driving crashes are preventable 100% of the time. If you drink any amount of alcohol, do not get behind the wheel. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transit. You can also just stay where you are until you’re sober.
The “Drive Sober. No Regrets” campaign also includes PSAs on TV, radio, billboards, online and at bars, restaurants and convenience stores statewide. The campaign supports a heightened law enforcement period from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, when more officers will be on the alert looking for drunk drivers on Texas roadways.
“Drive Sober. No Regrets” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report. This information was received and processed for the Thanksgiving time period by the department as of Sept. 5, and for the holiday season and New Year’s holiday time periods by the department as of Aug. 12.
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across the state. Connecting You with Texas.
