Anti-Drunk Driving Campaign Begins Today

The Texas Department of Transportation is launching the campaign, “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.” this morning. The statewide initiative aims to crack down even harder on drunk drivers, increasing the number of patrol officers on the streets for the duration of the campaign. “There will be additional officers looking for intoxicated and impaired drivers, whatever that impairment may be,” TX DoT’s James Chesshire said. “Whether it’s from alcohol, drugs, prescription or otherwise. If you’re impaired, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.” According to TX DoT, 955 were killed and 17,542 were injured last year on state roads alone. The crashes were caused by a drunk driver. In 2008, 28% of traffic deaths on Texas roads were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. “People don’t seem to realize that it takes very little alcohol to affect their motor skills and their driving judgments,” Chesshire said. “If they’ve had anything to drink at all, it’s too much.” The campaign runs from August 20 to September 6, to encompass the Labor Day holiday. “We do it every Labor Day because the number of DWIs and fatalities that we have at this time of year,” said Chesshire. “There’s a lot of drinking during this time and people are more likely to be on the road, intoxicated.” The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Sun City Cabs to provide free rides to drivers who have been drinking and are willing to leave their cars behind for the night.