Native and state police are planning elevated visitors enforcement this vacation season, and safe-ride choices abound for New Yr’s Eve revelers in Longview.
Longview police and state businesses encourage drivers to be protected and sober throughout the vacation, which generally is a time of elevated alcohol-related crashes.
Spokesman Brandon Thornton mentioned Longview Police Division is planning elevated enforcement throughout the upcoming vacation weekends and particularly talked about New Yr’s Eve.
“Sure, we may have a staff of officers out on Dec 31, 2021, primarily conducting DWI enforcement,” mentioned Thornton, who additionally cautioned drivers to take precautions when leaving their automobiles.
“Conceal your issues. Lock your door. Take your keys,” he mentioned.
The division reported a smattering of driving-while-intoxicated arrests surrounding New Yr’s Eve — historically, a time of celebration. Between Dec. 31, 2019, and Jan. 2020, the division made 4 DWI arrests. Three have been made throughout the identical timeframe the next yr, in keeping with police information.
The Texas Division of Public Security will start its annual vacation visitors enforcement marketing campaign on Thursday. Troopers shall be in search of motorists who usually are not carrying seatbelts, driving whereas intoxicated or committing different visitors violations, the division mentioned in a press release.
This previous yr, DPS reviews its Christmas and New Yr’s enforcement efforts resulted in 615 DWI arrests and 116,810 citations and warnings.
The Texas Division of Transportation reported there have been 93 alcohol-related crashes leading to loss of life and a couple of,462 “DUI-alcohol associated visitors crashes” throughout this previous yr’s vacation season, in keeping with the Texas Division of Transportation.
“Ingesting and driving is 100% preventable and may have critical bodily, emotional and monetary penalties that may final for years,” TxDOT mentioned in a launch. “A DWI can damage or kill somebody, devastating the lives of victims and survivors eternally. It might probably additionally trigger vital and costly authorized points, create issue discovering or maintaining a job and convey a lifetime of remorse.”
TxDOT recommends motorists put together to keep away from driving drunk by designating a sober driver in a gaggle, asking a buddy of member of the family for a journey or by calling a rideshare service or taxi.
Domestically, Longview Transit will once more offer its Secure Journey House program this yr.
Longview Transit, in partnership with R&Ok Distributors, is providing free rides to anybody throughout the Longview metropolis limits on New Yr’s Eve. Transportation service is out there to or from any Longview vacation spot.
The service begins 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 till 3 a.m. For extra data, or to schedule a journey, name (903) 753-2287.
Yellow Checker Cab of Longview can be providing a free journey dwelling for the vacation. For rides, name (903) 932-2231.
Roberts & Roberts regulation agency is providing free rides dwelling in Longview and Tyler in an effort to stop drunken driving incident throughout the holidays. The agency has partnered with Tyler Automotive Service to present residents within the cities an possibility without spending a dime rides dwelling via Jan. 1.
Extra data is out there on the agency’s web site, robertslawfirm.com.
TxDOT will maintain a marketing campaign with occasions throughout the state all through the month known as “Drive Sober. No Regrets.”
The marketing campaign options video testimonials from Texans who’re coping with the day by day penalties of drunken driving both as an offender or survivor, and it’s scheduled to be in Tyler subsequent week.
On Wednesday, TxDOT’s touring exhibit shall be at Broadway Sq. Mall, 4601 S. Broadway Ave., from 11 a.m. to eight p.m.
“It’s our hope that these shifting, first-hand accounts will encourage all of us to make the proper alternative and never ever drive after ingesting or doing something that may alter our judgment,” TxDOT Government Director Marc Williams mentioned in a press release. “We don’t wish to flip a cheerful time of yr into one which may very well be marked by tragic loss brought on by somebody’s poor resolution to drink and drive.”
