Texas DPS Increasing Holiday Patrols

Texas troopers have increased patrols to watch for drunken drivers during a three-week holiday reporting period.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the additional DWI patrols began Friday and run through Jan. 2. The period includes Christmas and New Year’s Day.

DPS says the increased patrols are funded through a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Texas troopers during the similar holiday enforcement effort last year made more than 1,200 DWI arrests. DPS also had more than 17,600 speeding citations and more than 2,000 seat belt/child safety seat citations.

DPS patrols during last year’s holiday period also resulted in 258 fugitive arrests and 211 felony arrests.