EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso Police Department (EPPD) is partnering up with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to enhance traffic safety during Labor Day weekend.
The partnership is being held during the Statewide Impaired Driving Campaign which runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, according to a news release sent by EPPD.
EPPD said the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant enables increased law enforcement presence from Aug. 16 through the Labor Day weekend, with additional officers on duty to enhance traffic safety.
This also coincides with the national heightened law enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to EPPD.
EPPD is encouraging drivers to always plan ahead before drinking and getting behind the wheel, and also plan for a sober ride home.
“In the City of El Paso in 2023, there were 519 alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 23 fatalities and 38 serious injuries. During the 2023 Labor Day holiday time period, there were six alcohol related traffic crashes, which fortunately did not result in any deaths or serious injuries,” read the news release.
EPPD and TxDOT want to prevent these types of incidents by encouraging the community to not drink and drive.
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