Whether it’s coming home from the pool or a barbecue, summer fun can end quickly with just one bad decision. Every 23 minutes there’s a crash in Texas involving a driver under the influence of alcohol. That’s more than 60 crashes a day and adds up to a lifetime of pain for families who lose loved ones.
As the Labor Day holiday approaches, the Texas Department of Transportation is asking Texans not to drink and drive and to always choose a sober ride. Law enforcement will be watching for Texas drivers who make the wrong choice and drive drunk instead of calling a ride, taking public transit or designating a sober driver. Texans know that it’s never just about following the law — it’s about saving lives.
“As Texans, we care about our neighbors and families, and that doesn’t stop when we get behind the wheel,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Even when you are celebrating Labor Day, it’s important to do so responsibly and choose a sober ride so we can all get home safely.”
Drunk driving has far-reaching risks and consequences, but drivers can always find a sober ride. That’s the message TxDOT hopes to spread with its “Drive Sober. No Regrets” Labor Day campaign and partnership with Texas law enforcement agencies.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting a national enforcement period August 15 - Sept. 1 to stop drunk drivers. Local Texas law enforcement will mirror the same enforcement period and boost efforts to identify motorists suspected of driving while intoxicated.
From June 1 to August 31, 2024, a total of 273 people were killed and 596 were seriously injured from driving under the influence of alcohol-related crashes. Over Labor Day weekend alone, there were 327 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities and 36 serious injuries. Twenty four percent of the total traffic deaths during the Labor Day weekend were DUI-alcohol related.
