TxDOT is partnering with college students as part of a campaign to fight back against drinking and driving.
The campaign, ‘Drive Sober. No Regrets,’ will visit college campuses and popular spring break locations in Texas to convey the message: there is always a safe and sober option for getting home.
Driving under the influence continues to be a severe problem in the state. During the 2022 spring break, there were 810 crashes involving alcohol, with 44 people killed and 90 others seriously injured.
And it is not just a problem among Texas youth. Last month, The Dallas Express reported that a 25-year-old man suspected to be under the influence drove a car into Mariscos Acapulco restaurant in Forth Worth. In another recent incident in the metroplex just weeks before, a suspected drunk driver, Andrew Michael Guerra, 29, allegedly hit two pedestrians after attempting to flee from a traffic stop.
In a study conducted by Forbes, Texas ranked the third worst state in the country for incidence of drinking and driving, scoring 98.66 out of 100.
- Texas has the second-worst share of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes.
- The state has the sixth-highest number of people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver.
- Texas has the third-highest rate of drunk drivers under the age of 21 who are involved in a fatal crash.
“Every death due to drunk driving is preventable. … We want students to understand that it’s easy to celebrate spring break safely,” said Marc Willams, Executive Director of TxDOT.
As part of the campaign, TxDOT will bring its “DUI Not So Fun House” and video exhibit to campuses and spring break spots throughout Texas. The exhibit allows students to experience the effects of being inebriated and the risks it can pose while driving.
“By finding a sober ride, taking a cab, using a rideshare, or simply staying put after drinking, students can make sure their families gather for graduation and not a funeral,” said Williams.
