In October, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined forces with El Paso law enforcement agencies to combat distracted driving through targeted enforcement efforts. This collaborative initiative with the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the El Paso County Constable’s Office aimed to increase awareness of distracted driving laws and reduce accidents in high-risk areas such as school zones and major roadways.
From October 16 to October 18, officers were stationed across El Paso in an effort to enforce traffic safety. The initiative led to 63 citations for cell phone use while driving and 30 violations of the “Move Over or Slow Down” law. This law mandates that drivers move to a different lane or reduce their speed by 20 mph below the posted limit when approaching emergency vehicles or utility workers stopped on the roadside.
The campaign comes at a critical time, as distracted driving continues to pose serious dangers on Texas roads. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), nearly one in six traffic accidents statewide in 2023 involved distracted drivers. Tragically, these incidents led to 399 fatalities and more than 2,790 serious injuries.
Distracted driving laws in Texas prohibit the use of mobile devices while driving, particularly in school zones. Violators can face fines of up to $200 plus court costs. DPS emphasizes that if drivers need to use a mobile device, they should pull off the road and stop completely to ensure safety.
The DPS also highlighted the consequences for drivers who disregard the “Move Over or Slow Down” law. First-time offenders can face fines of up to $1,250. Those whose violations result in bodily injury may be subject to even harsher penalties, including a $4,000 fine and possible jail time. DPS reminds drivers that this law applies to emergency vehicles, law enforcement, fire trucks, EMS, tow trucks, and TxDOT vehicles with activated emergency lights.
In addition to enforcement, DPS has teamed up with TxDOT to distribute safety fliers to motorists stopped by troopers for traffic warnings. This educational initiative aims to inform drivers about distracted driving laws and encourage compliance to reduce fatalities. Sadly, at least one fatality has occurred daily on Texas roads since November 7, 2000—a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety.
With these efforts, DPS and El Paso law enforcement hope to save lives and reduce the number of accidents related to distracted driving, ensuring that both drivers and pedestrians are safer on Texas roads.
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