Police urge drivers to be safe

L-N File Photo In Times of Trouble The Department of Public Safety is going to be busy stopping dangerous drivers this weekend to avoid situations like this rescue after a traffic accident.

As Thanksgiving travelers hit the roadways, law enforcers will be looking for fuel-price accepting drivers endangering themselves and others by breaking traffic laws.

Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol troopers are participating in Operation CARE - Combined Accident Reduction Effort - a nationwide effort by police agencies to reduce fatalities on major interstate highways during holiday weekends.

"Highway patrol troopers will be out in force to remind drivers that in order to arrive safely at their destination, they should follow Texas traffic laws by driving sober, not speeding and remembering to buckle up," said Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr., director of the DPS.

"Our troopers are going to be on patrol from (today) to midnight on the Sunday after Thanksgiving," added Gary Pflughaupt, senior trooper at the DPS office in Pierce.

The national average price for gasoline rose about 13 cents over the last two weeks, according to a survey released Sunday. The average price of regular gasoline on Friday was $3.09 a gallon, mid-grade was $3.21, and premium was $3.32, oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said.

That was about 86 cents higher than pump prices a year ago, and still 9.08 cents shy of the May 18, 2007, all-time retail gasoline high.

"We can easily exceed that all-time high price this year, even if crude oil prices fall," Lundberg said.

Pflughaupt said even with high fuel prices, "We still feel there's going to be a lot of people driving."

Troopers in particular will be looking for speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers and passengers who are not wearing safety belts or who do not have children buckled in safely.

"If they can't comply with the law, we're going to help them comply," Pflughaupt said. "The whole goal is to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities."

He encouraged parents to be a good role model for their children by always using seat belts.

"Parents have to set the example for the youngsters and ensure all children are properly restrained because you just never know when that car crash is going to happen," he said.

Drunken drivers are always a major problem, and Pflughaupt said too many people still have the wrong attitude toward that crime.

"People still don't think alcohol is a problem and we still see too many people dying in these crashes," he said. "We just want people to understand it's very hazardous to your health, and to other people who drive, when you drive drunk."

El Campo Police patrol units will be fully staffed during the holidays, doing their part to keep roadways safe.

"We ask drivers to drive defensively and allow enough time to reach your destination without rushing," said ECPD Chief Jim Elliott. "DWI enforcement is a priority during the holidays."

He said the holidays are no time to ignore basic safety.

"Don't ruin your holidays with a speeding or seat belt citation," Elliott said. "Instead, enjoy your family, your Thanksgiving meal and the ball games.