AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today announced its participation in the multi-state, multi-agency “I-80/I-35 Border-to-Border Traffic Safety Initiative” from Aug. 28 – 30. During this period, troopers in all 16 of the states that contain a stretch of I-35 and/or I-80 will conduct high-visibility patrols in their areas in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities.
“Interstate 35 is a major corridor through the state of Texas, and these focused patrols help law enforcement identify dangerous drivers and promote safe driving behavior,” said Director McCraw. “Protecting and enhancing public safety on our highways is a chief goal for DPS, and this coordinated effort with our state law enforcement partners across the nation will be a powerful tool in keeping travelers safe.”
Across the United States, Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 cover more than 4,400 miles – with I-35 traveling from Texas-Mexico border in Laredo to Minnesota, and I-80 running from California to New Jersey. In Texas, I-35 spans more than 400 miles from Laredo north to the Texas-Oklahoma border.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 127 fatalities on the Texas portion of I-35 in 2014.
In addition to Texas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming will participate in the program. The two interstate highways intersect in Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety is leading the I-80/I-35 Border-to-Border initiative.
The “I-80/I-35 Border-to-Border Traffic Safety Initiative” coincides with the DPS enhanced DWI enforcement period Aug. 21 – Sept. 7 and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which runs through Sept. 7.
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