The consequences of driving drunk can be devastating and recent numbers show just how serious the problem remains.
SAN ANTONIO — Drunk driving remains a serious problem year-round in Texas, but it spikes during the holidays.
During the 2024 holiday season, more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes were reported statewide, leaving 96 people dead and more than 200 others seriously injured, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
In response, TxDOT is rolling out its annual “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” holiday safety campaign, urging Texans to plan ahead and never get behind the wheel after drinking.
“Drunk driving crashes are 100% preventable,” TxDOT officials said. “One decision can change lives forever.”
The campaign encourages drivers to designate a sober driver, use rideshare services or public transportation, call a sober friend, or stay put until fully sober.
TxDOT says impaired driving can lead to devastating consequences, from life-altering injuries and deaths to jail time, loss of a driver’s license, and fines and fees that can total up to $17,000.
At the center of the campaign is Charisse Thomas, who lost her 18-year-old daughter, Destani Oliver, in a drunk driving crash in the Houston area in 2020.
“Every day, I sit at a table with an empty chair,” Thomas said. “He got four years in prison. My family got a life sentence.”
TxDOT’s “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign runs through New Year’s Day and coincides with a heightened law enforcement period from Dec. 12 through Jan. 1, when more officers will be watching for impaired drivers across the state.
Officials say December consistently has the highest number of alcohol-related crashes in Texas.
TxDOT hopes the message is simple: keep the holidays happy by choosing a sober ride.