Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.

The Labor Day Holiday is here and for many motorists this is the last big holiday of the summer. The Texas Department of Public Safety will have an increased number of State Troopers on the roadways during the Labor Day Weekend. The high visibility of Texas State Troopers is one of the single, most effective tools we have to reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities.

Impaired driving is a serious problem across the United States and Southeast Texas is not immune to the problem. In 2008, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed the percent of traffic fatalities caused by alcohol-impaired driving (BAC=.08 or above) to be above 25% in Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson and Orange counties. In Orange County, 45.8% of traffic fatalities resulted from alcohol-impaired driving.

DPS is committed to arresting drivers who make the choice to drink and drive.

Wearing your seatbelt is the single most effective crash protection available; however, it cannot save a life if it is not used. Child Safety Seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars. Children under 8 years of age must be in a child safety seat system unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches tall. Remember, the child must be in the appropriate car seat or booster seat at all times. In addition, Texas law states that all occupants of a vehicle, whether in the front or back seat, must be buckled up.

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25.