Keep Memorial Day Weekend Safe; Law Enforcement increasing patrols during holiday weekend

Wylie PD
Memorial Day Weekend is the beginning of the summer and historically marks an increase in drunk driving injuries and deaths, and as businesses begin to re-open across the country, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) urges everyone to think ahead if plans include alcohol and use taxis, public transportation, ride-share services or call a non-drinking friend.

Drunk driving is completely preventable, yet last year in the state of Texas claimed 160 lives during this holiday weekend (6pm 05/27/2016 – 5:59am 05/31/2016).

“We know life is different for all of us this year. Stay-at-home orders have meant fewer tragedies on our roads,” said MADD National President. “While we can only hope that this trend continues, the fact is that we don’t know what to expect. We do know that even during the pandemic, drunk driving hasn’t stopped.”

As conditions allow, MADD is teaming up with law enforcement virtually and in-person to support the efforts of law enforcement officers, whose work has not stopped. State Police and local law enforcement will be out in force, with increased patrols to combat drunk, impaired, and reckless driving.

Officer Nikki Lockwood from the Southlake PD
Law enforcement agencies across the state of Texas during the Memorial Day weekend to help keep Texas roadways safe.

Drunk driving is the leading killer on America’s roads, claiming more than 10,000 lives and injuring more than 300,000 people every year. In addition, law enforcement reports an increase in drivers with both alcohol and drugs in their system — a deadly combination.

“This Memorial Day Weekend, as we honor our nation’s heroes who sacrificed their lives to save ours, let’s not diminish their valiant actions by making choices that cause senseless, 100% preventable tragedies,” said Bill Cardamon, MADD Texas Executive Director.

From Friday through Monday, extra officers will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers, drivers violating the speed limit, anyone failing to wear a seat belt and other traffic laws.

Officers give the following tips to make sure they are safe during the Memorial Day weekend:

Don’t Drink and Drive
Drive the speed limit
Make everyone in the vehicle wear a seat belt.
Don’t drive fatigued
Eliminate distractions while driving
Drive Defensively