WP Police encourage and enforce holiday traffic safety
- mpetx8
- Dec 1, 2022
- 2 min read
Summary: "As part of our commitment to public safety, we entered into an agreement with TxDOT to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” Willow Park Police Chief Carrie West said. The agreement puts in place a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) - Impaired Driving Mobilization e-Grant to be awarded to the WPPD [for extended policing during four, annual time periods. Christmas/New Year’s, Dec. 16-Jan. 1 / Spring Break, March 3-19 / Independence Day, June 23-July 9 / Labor Day, Aug. 18-Sept. 4.]
Latest Update:
The Community News
18 November 2o22
By Rick Mauch
Excerpts
Traveling through Willow Park via Interstate 20 is about to get a little safer.
At least that’s the plan after the [Willow Park] city council approved an agreement between the Willow Park Police Department and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The agreement puts in place a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) - Impaired Driving Mobilization e-Grant to be awarded to the WPPD.
Through the 80/20 matching grant, TxDOT will award the WPPD up to $11,965.09 (80 percent) and the city will match up to $2,991.28 for four “waves,” or specific times of the year. During each wave Willow Park police officers will work overtime to conduct high visibility saturation of patrolling within the enforcement zone (the city limits), especially along the I-20 corridor.
“As part of our commitment to public safety, we entered into an agreement with TxDOT to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” Willow Park Police Chief Carrie West said.
Willow Park Police Sergeant Jaclin Ramirez presented the request to the council, noting that the department has responded to 120 crashes in the past 12 months.
“That doesn’t include assists we do all the way to the county line,” Ramirez said, adding that speeding is almost always a factor.
The speed limit along I-20 through Willow Park is 70 miles per hour.
Ramirez noted that the enforcement will not include traffic stop checkpoints.
The waves include [the following]:
Christmas/New Year’s, Dec. 16-Jan. 1.
Spring Break, March 3-19.
Independence Day, June 23-July 9.
Labor Day, Aug. 18-Sept. 4.
Ramirez said there will be a two-week campaign period with the public through such outlets as schools, social media and more.
Additional Articles
Grant will help WP police enforce traffic safety, Willow Park Civics Blog, 21 November 2022
TXDOT > BuckleupTexas > TxDOT STEP Resources
Capital Highlights: Safe driving urged during holiday season > Legislators begin filing bills ahead of session, 25 November 2022, The Community News
Safe driving urged during holiday season
The Texas Department of Public Transportation is urging holiday season motorists to exert caution and to especially not drink and drive.
The state saw 48,641 traffic crashes during the holiday season from Dec.1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022, with 433 fatalities and 1,695 serious injuries. Nearly a quarter of those deaths – 23% – were related to drunk drivers, according to TxDOT.
“Get together with family and friends and have a great time, but please find an alternative way home if you choose to drink,” Marc Williams, TxDOT executive director, said. “You have many options available.”
Those options include a designated sober driver, calling a taxi or rideshare service, public transportation, or just staying put.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, U.S. Department of Transportation, Ad Council and Television Bureau of Advertising Partner to Prevent Drunk Driving Fatalities During the Holidays
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