Cracking down on drunk driving is being increased by LPPD and probably all PDs.
The Fourth of July holiday consistently ranks as one of the deadliest holiday weekends for traffic accidents. Statistics gathered by NHTSA over the past 25 years show that, on average, about half of all deadly traffic crashes over the July Fourth holiday are related to alcohol. Last year, in Texas there were 337 alcohol related traffic crashes over the July Fourth holiday weekend.
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.
The Fourth of July is about celebrating freedom –and if people choose to drink and drive, they stand to lose that freedom and end up in jail. If you plan on drinking make sure you have a P.A.S.S., a Person Appointed to Stay Sober.
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 23 - July 09, 2023. 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 of 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 the agency at 281-842-3115 and follow us on Facebook at @LaPortePoliceDepartment.