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DPS encourages an extra helping of safety during the holiday weekend

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AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding motorists to make safety an integral part of their Thanksgiving travel plans and to celebrate the holiday responsibly.

“As Texans are traveling to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, DPS is reminding drivers of their duty to help keep our roadways safe – and we urge everyone to take this responsibility seriously,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We are especially thankful this holiday for our Troopers and other law enforcement partners who will be giving up part of their holiday and time with their families to help patrol Texas roads and keep us safe.”

DPS Troopers and other Texas law enforcement agencies will be patrolling around-the-clock during the extended holiday weekend looking for drunk drivers, speeders, seat belt violators and other motorists who are endangering themselves or the public.

During the 2017 Thanksgiving holiday, DPS Troopers issued more than 73,000 traffic citations and warnings for a variety of violations, including 8,449 speeding and 1,005 seat belt/child safety seat citations. DPS patrols also resulted in 324 driving while intoxicated arrests, 290 fugitive arrests and 235 felony arrests during the same time period.

Show your thanks this holiday to those working on the side of the road by following the law: Slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Also, show the same courtesy to fellow drivers stopped alongside the road.

DPS offers the following tips for safe travel during the extended holiday weekend:

 

  • Do not drink and drive. Make alternate travel plans if you are consuming alcohol.
  • Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas, heavy traffic and unfamiliar areas.
  • Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits using a portable wireless device to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped.
  • Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law.
  • Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.
  • Don’t drive fatigued – allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
  • If you see a road hazard or if you observe anything suspicious, report it to the nearest law enforcement agency.
  • On multi-lane roadways, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to only use the left lane for passing (when posted).
  • Before your trip begins, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and always double check to make sure all cargo is secure.
  • Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions/closings in Texas, visit https://drivetexas.org.
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Weather will continue to be frigid

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🥶Heads Up🥶

Temperatures will plummet back into the single digits and teens tonight with dangerous wind chills around the Thursday morning commute. Many locations across North Texas will struggle to get above freezing Thursday afternoon. Stay warm and dress in layers!

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Two vehicles collide on U.S. 81

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Two vehicles were involved in this crash at 6:40 p.m. on Feb. 15 north of Bowie on U.S. Highway 81 just north of the American Hat Factory.
The Department of Public Safety’s preliminary investigation states a 2014 Town & Country van was traveling north on U.S. 81 driven by Brydacia Johnson, 31, Saint Jo. A second vehicle, a 2015 GMC Terrain driven by Libby Hand, 23, Bowie, also was northbound behind the van.
Johnson reportedly pulled over onto the shoulder to make a U-turn and turned “unsafe” states the report in front of Hand and they collided. The van came to rest on the shoulder, while the GMC spun clock-wise and went into the ditch where it came to rest.
The DPS report there were no injuries. (News photo by Barbara Green)

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School closings

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Bellevue ISD – On Feb. 19 school will start at 10 am. Buses will run 2 hours late.

Montague School – Starting at 10 a.m. on Weds. Buses will run two hours late.

Forestburg School – Starting at 10 a.m. on Weds. Buses will run two hours late.

Prairie Valley School will be closed all day Wednesday due to the hazardous road conditions.


Bowie ISD will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.  BISD statement: Although most roads are clear, there are some slick “black ice” spots throughout the entire district.  Parking lots and sidewalks have some slick spots as well.  This delay will allow buses, staff, and students to have ample time to cautiously arrive at school.  Stay warm!

Nocona ISD will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Gold-Burg ISD will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday

North Central Texas College classes will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.


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