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AUSTIN — As celebrations are finalized to mark the last days of summer, the Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to make a plan leading up to the Labor Day holiday — a plan for a safe and sober ride home.
“Drinking and driving remain a big problem in Texas,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “If you plan to drink, you must plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home. It’s a program that could save a family — even your own — from the heartbreak of losing a loved one.”
TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign kicked off today in San Antonio and ends September 5. It coincides with Labor Day and increased DWI enforcement in Texas. During the Labor Day holiday period in 2015, there were 359 alcohol-related crashes. They led to 12 fatalities and 36 serious injuries.
The campaign is a multi-city tour featuring an interactive dodgeball game that uses gaming technology to educate the public about the effects of alcohol on a person’s reflexes. Workers add virtual drinks as participants play, and the players’ on-screen avatars become less able to dodge incoming “dodgeballs.” The game demonstrates how even one drink can slow reaction times.
As always, TxDOT strongly encourages everyone to plan for a sober ride before going out. In addition to potential life-threatening crashes, drivers under the influence of alcohol could face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
Calling a taxi or using a transportation app on your smartphone.
Using mass transit.
Asking a sober friend or family member for a ride home.
Stay where you are and spend the night.