Texas Border Business
PHARR – The loss of a loved one hits even harder over the holidays. There are empty chairs at thousands of tables for Texas families devastated by deadly drunk driving crashes. As Texans gather to celebrate this time of year, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is urging Texans to extend their well-known kindness and courtesy to others on the road and always choose a sober ride.
“The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe. That means always getting a sober ride.”
Over the next few weeks, TxDOT plans to reach people as they prepare for holiday get-togethers. TxDOT is partnering with Walmart during the holiday season to take its interactive exhibit to stores in areas with the highest number of drunk driving deaths.
Drive Sober. No Regrets. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
- In the Pharr District in 2024, there were 26,309 traffic crashes, resulting in 124 fatalities and 599 serious injuries.
- In the Pharr District in 2024, there were 1,202 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 27 fatalities and 103 serious injuries.
- In the Pharr District, there were 114 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes during the 2024 holiday season time period, resulting in 3 fatalities and 15 serious injuries.
- In the Pharr District, there were 7 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes during the 2024 New Year’s holiday time period, resulting in 1 fatality and 7 serious injuries.
*TxDOT’s Pharr District includes the 8 southernmost counties of Texas.
HOLIDAY SEASON TIME PERIODS:
- The 2024 holiday season time period is defined as Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY TIME PERIODS:
- The 2024 New Year’s holiday time period is defined as 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, to 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
(Time periods are defined by the National Safety Council.)
STATEWIDE HOLIDAY SEASON CRASH DATA
- In 2023, there were 50,004 traffic crashes in Texas during the holiday season time period, resulting in 380 fatalities and 1,571 serious injuries.
- In 2024, there were 49,542 traffic crashes in Texas during the holiday season time period, resulting in 383 fatalities and 1,530 serious injuries.
- This is a 0.9% decrease in traffic crashes in Texas during the holiday season time period compared to the previous year (2023).
Information source: TxDOT
