HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department’s DWI Task Force announced an initiative intended to combat drunk driving ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
According to officials, the initiative is in collaboration with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
With Independence Day celebrations approaching, HPD and its partners emphasized the importance of making safe choices and avoiding driving under the influence.
On Tuesday, members of law enforcement held a news conference to share more details about what will be taking place this week.
Officers at the news conference said they will also have extra deputies out on the waterways. They encourage those enjoying the holiday to identify a plan and execute that plan to get home safely.
“Impaired driving is NOT an accident or a mistake,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Tommy Diaz said. “It is a 100% preventable crime.”
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“Last year’s crash data shows that every two hours a person dies on Texas roadways,” said Lieutenant Craig Cummings with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
You can also expect to see more troopers out on the roadways, according to DPS.
Last July 4, officials said that Texas troops issued over 18,000 citations and warnings leading to 5,000 arrests. Twenty-five percent of fatalities that occurred were intoxicated-related in 2023, according to DPS.