TXDOT Drive Sober No Regrets campaign is to remind people in the state of Texas of the tragic human toll of drunk driving

Published: Jun. 20, 2024 at 6:20 PM CDT

ODESSA/MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) -The TXDOT Drive Sober No Regrets campaign is to remind people in the state of Texas of the tragic human toll of drunk driving.

With the Fourth of July two weeks TXDOT is urging people across the state of Texas not to drink and drive and to always look for a sober ride.

Drunk driving can have a lasting impact on family members and friends of everyone involved in an accident.

Some of those family members work with TXDOT to warn people of the dangers of drinking and driving.

“Never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you have been drinking. Charles The Third’s life was taken because someone made a choice to drink and drive. we don’t want another family to have to endure the pain and suffering.” said Shenica Trammell.

According to a TXDOT study from 2020 to 2022 Odessa ranked number one and Midland ranked number two in the state for the most fatalities and serious injuries caused by crashes with alcohol impaired driving.

TXDOT reports July and August are the two deadliest months for drunk-driving fatalities and last year there was an average of sixty-five related alcohol crashes every day on Texas roadways.

“If you take the time to think about even if you had one drink to have someone designated to drive that makes a huge difference in making it home and being home safe and having no regrets.” said TXDOT Public Information Officer MaryAnn Cedillo.

During the summer more people are traveling for summer vacation.

“Is reminding people that even one drink is one too many to have and helping them understand that you want to get home safe, and everybody wants to get home safe so don’t drink and drive.” said MaryAnn Cedillo.

Starting this Friday there will be an increase of police officers on the roads through July 7 to help reduce the DUI related crashes.

“It aims to put more troopers on the roadway once again. We are out there looking for drivers who are intoxicated, at excessive speed, driving aggressively and also traveling on those roads where they are falling asleep where they can be causing crashes.” said SGT TX Department of Public Safety Steven Blanco.

DWI can result in fines of up to seventeen thousand dollars.