Weekends of any month are among the most dangerous time for drivers --- according to Texas --- there is an increase in alcohol-related crashes during this time. Which is why Texas is launching a new campaign: on weekends where drinking is expected, always remember getting a P.A.S.S. (Person Appointed to Stay Sober)

In 2009, 30.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities in Texas were alcohol-related. While drinking and driving is outlawed everywhere, some people still continue to do it. 54 percent of drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes were in the ages between 18 and 34, making young adults the highest age group affected by impaired driving.

"Our message on weekends, and every day, is clear: do not drink and drive." said Carol T. Rawson, P.E., TxDOT's Traffic Operations Division Director. The P.A.S.S. Campaign is being put into place in order to lower incidents of alcohol-related impaired driving on weekends. Along with this, law enforcement is being ramped up to focus on catching intoxicated drivers during weekends.

It's a Friday --- or actually, on any day --- remember to get a P.A.S.S. if drinking is going to be involved.

Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Labels: dont' mess with texas, drunk driving, DUI, know when to pass, vehicle safety

Try to picture Texas 25 years ago. See, Texas had a litter problem. The Texas Highway Commission then said they'd had enough, and did something about it: they launched the “Don't Mess With Texas” campaign (DMWT).

Though the slogan “Don't Mess With Texas” has been in use for almost 25 years, it remains very popular, and Texans take it very seriously.

“Don't Mess With Texas” is an extensive public education campaign that informs Texans the importance of not littering. Every two years, the DMWT research team gathers all the litter they could find, and conduct surveys from thousands of Texans to find out their littering behaviors. After this research, DMWT then comes up with strategies that are specifically tailored to address the problem of littering.

What they find every two years is: though roadside litter has lessened, half of Texans still admit to littering, and that if every litterer in Texas picks up just six pieces of trash every month, the highways would be clean.

What happens when you get caught littering in Texas:

Littering in Texas is against the law (like in some other states) and an offender may be fined up to $500. If an offender repeats the offense, the fines may go up to as high as $2000 and 180 days in jail.

The next time you are eating something with a wrapper, or smoking tobacco, while driving in Texas, think twice. Put the trash in your bag or purse and dispose of it when you come across a trash can. It's infinitely better than getting jail time for it. If you see a litterer and would like to report, there's a page in the DMWT site specifically for that: (http://dontmesswithtexas.org/report-a-litterer/)

Labels: dont' mess with texas, texas laws