Slow down and stay alert! Police across Texas step up speed-limit enforcement
Law enforcement agencies are stepping up speed-limit enforcement as part of a campaign to emphasize the importance of safe drive.
The “Be Safe. Drive Smart” initiative began Friday. Drivers can expect increased enforcement and penalties for speeding through Aug. 4.
More than 1,400 people died in Texas last year in speeding-related crashes. Reckless driving remains one of the highest causes of traffic accidents in Texas, contributing to over 160,000 crashes last year, the Texas Department of Transportation said in a news release.
Fort Worth alone saw over 10,000 speeding-related crashes in 2023, resulting in 130 deaths and 550 serious injuries, according to the Department of Transportation.
“Speeding is one of the deadliest problems on our roads,” TxDOT executive director Marc Williams said in a statement. “Getting to the office, home, or wherever you’re going a few minutes faster isn’t worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk.”
The campaign includes several safety tips for drivers:
Adjust your speed according to road conditions, such as bad weather or work zones.
Slow down and maintain a greater distance when traffic is heavy or roads are slick.
Pay attention to road signs indicating reduced speed limits ahead.
The “Be Safe. Drive Smart” initiative is a part of #EndTheStreakTX, an effort to encourage safer driving practices and end the streak of daily traffic deaths in Texas. Since Nov. 7, 2000, there has not been a single day without a fatality on Texas roadways.
This story was originally published July 19, 2024 at 11:50 AM.
