SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety have launched a new program to encourage people to be safe on the roads this holiday weekend to avoid the worst happening and not increase the amount of people in the hospital.
In Tom Green County, there are 74 people currently hospitalized and 1,929 active cases of COVID-19 with many hospitals at capacity with COVID cases.
TxDPS Sergeant Justin Baker says while COVID numbers are high in the Concho Valley, that won’t stop him or his team from doing their job.
“We're going to follow safety protocol on all traffic stops while still being mindful of anything related to COVID. As for deterring us from going out there and doing our jobs and keeping the public safe, we are still going to do what's expected of us,” Baker said.
Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) was launched by TxDPS and it is an initiative made to increase enforcement efforts during designated periods throughout the year, including holidays like Labor Day.
Sgt. Baker said the department will be issuing out more citations if necessary and wants people to wrap-up the summer the safest way possible.
"We definitely want everybody to be cautious and be mindful of the traffic laws of not speeding, not driving aggressively, not driving impaired, avoiding distractions, moving over and slowing down because we are gonna expect more traffic on the roadway in this coming weekend and so we just really encourage everybody to be as safe as they can be," Baker mentioned.
TxDPS reports this time last year, troopers issued 71,544 citations and warnings. This included 9,239 citations for speeding; 1,088 seat belt and child safety restraint citations; 1,419 citations for no insurance; and 534 warnings and citations for Move Over, Slow Down violations.
TxDPS hopes the weekend can be safe and enjoyable for people in the Concho Valley.
