DPS to be in full force this weekend [Kerrville Daily Times, Texas]

Dec. 30--Residents may want to think twice this weekend before drinking and driving as the Texas Department of Public Safety reminds the public that troopers will be out in full force for the New Year holiday.

Jim Behrens, a local DPS trooper, said all available troopers will be patrolling this weekend with special emphasis on driving while intoxicated enforcement, speeding, seat belts and aggressive driving.

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"We're going to have every law enforcement agency around beefing up their patrol," he said.

Behrens added that DPS anticipates that because New Year's Eve falls on a weekend night, more people will be participating in the holiday festivities.

"When you have more people that are going to be out ... whether they consume alcohol or not, there's going to be more people on the road," Behrens said of why more troopers will be out.

He said the No. 1 concern for the agency is the public's safety.

The effort, known as Operation Holiday, is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation for targeted DWI enforcement over various holidays throughout the year.

During the same period in 2010, according to a DPS release, troopers made 1,264 DWI arrests. Of those, 449 were made by troopers whose patrols were funded through the TxDOT grant.

In addition, troopers issued 17,436 speeding citations, 2,426 safety restraint citations and 2,593 no insurance citations.

Troopers also made 1,284 felony and fugitive arrests and recovered 50 stolen vehicles.

Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said while his deputies will be out patrolling for everything, he expects to get different kinds of calls New Year's Eve.

"I expect that since there wasn't a ban put on fireworks this year in the commissioner's court that we'll get a lot of those kinds of calls," he anticipated.

He said his deputies also usually get a lot of calls about New Year's Eve parties.

He encouraged residents attending parties and or setting off fireworks to be safe and responsible.

Behrens encouraged residents who plan to drink to rely on a designated driver to get them home, or to call a taxi service or drink at a location with a hotel.

In addition to those out celebrating the new year, Behrens said a lot of people also will be driving home from vacation during the holidays, creating a high volume of traffic.

For that crowd, Behrens warned that troopers will be keeping an eye out for speeders and aggressive drivers.

Other tips offered by DPS include being aware of and preparing for changing weather conditions, not texting and driving and keeping cell phone chatter to a minimum, making sure everyone in the car is buckled up, not traveling fatigued, switch drivers or finding a safe location to take a break if needed, driving courteously and make sure vehicles are properly maintained.

"We want everyone's holiday to end as well as it starts," said assistant director Luis Gonzalez, chief of the Texas Highway Patrol division, in a statement. "Please drive safely, and if you're going to drink, designate a driver."

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