Spring Break
Driving with C.A.R.E.
No matter where students are going this winter break to celebrate the holiday season, the Texas Department of Public Safety gives safety advice for the road ahead.
By: Kristen Dwyer
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Features
"We want you to get to your destination safely," said Col. Stan Clark, interim director of the DPS. "Be patient. There will be a lot of other families traveling and traffic is likely to be congested. Leave yourself plenty of time to get where you're going and drive friendly. Slow down, buckle up and drive sober."
Clarke said all available DPS troopers will be patrolling highways looking for speeders, drunk drivers and those not properly secured by safety restraints. DPS has a no-warnings policy for seat belt and child restraint violations.
"Troopers are participating in Operation CARE - Combined Accident Reduction Effort," Clarke said. "[Operation CARE is] a nationwide effort by police agencies to reduce fatalities on major interstate highways during holiday weekends."
The DPS expects a large number of travelers on the road and encourages drivers to leave themselves plenty of time to reach their holiday destinations.
DPS safety tips:
Avoid bad driving habits that can lead to road rage, such as
n Not using turn signals
n Driving in the passing lane
n Tailgating, flashing lights or honking
n Using high beams in traffic
n Not allowing adequate time for a given trip
When confronted with aggressive drivers, the DPS
recommends that you
n Put your pride in the back seat and move aside.
n Do not speed up, block lanes, slam or tap on brakes.
n Report extreme cases of reckless driving to the appropriate authorities when the incident occurs.
n Do not retaliate, gesture or make eye contact.
n Make sure everyone is buckled up.
Clarke said all available DPS troopers will be patrolling highways looking for speeders, drunk drivers and those not properly secured by safety restraints. DPS has a no-warnings policy for seat belt and child restraint violations.
"Troopers are participating in Operation CARE - Combined Accident Reduction Effort," Clarke said. "[Operation CARE is] a nationwide effort by police agencies to reduce fatalities on major interstate highways during holiday weekends."
The DPS expects a large number of travelers on the road and encourages drivers to leave themselves plenty of time to reach their holiday destinations.
DPS safety tips:
Avoid bad driving habits that can lead to road rage, such as
n Not using turn signals
n Driving in the passing lane
n Tailgating, flashing lights or honking
n Using high beams in traffic
n Not allowing adequate time for a given trip
When confronted with aggressive drivers, the DPS
recommends that you
n Put your pride in the back seat and move aside.
n Do not speed up, block lanes, slam or tap on brakes.
n Report extreme cases of reckless driving to the appropriate authorities when the incident occurs.
n Do not retaliate, gesture or make eye contact.
n Make sure everyone is buckled up.
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