Media Relations Information for June 14, 2024
Public Relations Officer – Asst. Chief Bennie Boles
Office: 281- 842-3114
LPPD Focuses Efforts on Impaired Drivers During the Holiday
On July 4th, America celebrates the birth of our nation. Around the holiday, sadly, we often see an increase in impaired driving crashes. From 2017 to 2021, there were 1,460 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period — 38% of the drivers killed were drunk. That’s why TxDOT, law enforcement officials, and other key partners are working together this Fourth of July and increasing their presence across the state as part of a statewide High Visibility Enforcement effort.
Texans will notice an increased presence of law enforcement officials during the Fourth of July weekend as part of an aggressive crackdown on impaired drivers. DPS and other law enforcement agencies throughout Texas have received federal grants to increase enforcement efforts over the holiday weekend.
Tips to Celebrate Safely
• If you plan to drink, make a plan ahead of time for a sober ride home.
• Even if you’ve had only one drink, let someone who hasn’t been drinking take you home. A sober driver is one who does not drink at all, not the one who’s had the least to drink.
• If you’re hosting a Fourth of July gathering, help the designated drivers out by making sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages.
• Have a friend who is about to drive impaired? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, safely pull over and call 911.
• Always wear your seat belt.
As an enforcement strategy, the La Porte Police Department (LPPD) is using funds through ongoing assistance from a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Impaired Driving Mobilization (IDM) grant. The Independence Day enforcement period is June 21 – July 07, 2024. With this grant, additional LPPD officers will be deployed during each of these holiday periods on an overtime basis, to watch for impaired drivers on local roadways. Anyone operating a vehicle and found to be intoxicated will be arrested. Suspected intoxicated drivers who refuse to provide a breath test will be the subject of a search warrant and have their blood drawn for blood alcohol level testing.
All TXDOT’s S.T.E.P. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) campaigns are designed to reduce both motor vehicle accidents and the residual effects incurred by impaired motorists. The programs have consistently proven to reduce injuries, fatalities, and property damage along major thoroughfares and at high collision/high-density intersections. For more information on La Porte Police Department’s involvement in the State’s various S.T.E.P. programs, please contact LPPD at 281-842-3115 and follow us on Facebook at @LaPortePoliceDepartment.
