Texas campaign to curb speeding will mean more tickets. Here’s when to be on the lookout
From July 14 to 30, The Texas Department of Transportation is teaming up with law enforcement agencies across Texas as they step up speed limit enforcement during “Operation Slowdown.”
As part of TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” statewide speeding prevention campaign launching this week, law enforcement will write citations and increase their presence on Texas roads during this period “to remind drivers what a safe speed looks like.”
“Getting to your destination two or three minutes faster just isn’t worth the risk of a crash and causing harm to yourself or others,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a press release. “Motorists who observe the speed limit and match their driving to road and weather conditions can help prevent crashes.”
Speed is the number one factor contributing to roadway crashes in Texas, and it increases the risk of death and serious injury when a collision occurs, according to TxDOT. In 2022, speed was a contributing factor in more than 162,000 roadway crashes in Texas, resulting in 1,469 deaths — a third of all traffic fatalities in the state. Speeding can also mean a costly ticket.
The new campaign aims to remind Texans that safe driving is about obeying the posted speed limit as well as driving to conditions (i.e. slowing down if there’s bad weather, heavy traffic or road construction).
TxDOT has these safety tips for motorists:
- Match your speed to road conditions if there’s bad weather or you’re driving through a work zone.
- Slow down and allow for more distance to stop when traffic is heavy or roads are slick.
- Watch for road signs alerting you of reduced speed limits ahead.
