HOUSTON – As Texans head into the holiday season, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has launched a new public-safety campaign “Drive Sober. No Regrets” and announced increased law enforcement patrols from Dec. 12 through Jan. 1.
Drunk driving is a year-round threat but spikes during the holidays. During the 2024 holiday season, Texas saw more than 2,000 impaired-driving crashes, which resulted in 96 deaths and 201 serious injuries. TxDOT says those numbers are avoidable with planning and safer choices.
“Drive Sober. No Regrets” encourages drivers to plan transportation ahead of time: designate a sober driver, use rideshare services or public transit, or simply wait until sober before getting behind the wheel.
The campaign also highlights the legal and financial consequences of impaired driving, including possible jail time, lengthy court proceedings, and fines and fees that can add up to $17,000.
TxDOT supplied a recorded message from Houston mother Charisse Thomas, who lost her 18-year-old daughter in a drunk driving crash in 2020. Thomas urges other families to take the risk seriously and plan safer ways home during celebrations.