Plan ahead if you drink on Labor Day weekend

TEXARKANA, Texas ( KTAL/KMSS ) – Labor Day weekend is often celebrated with family, food, and sometimes drinks, but the consequences of getting behind the wheel after celebrating can be dire.

“It should be a fun and relaxing holiday, but because people choose to drink and drive, it can often be a dangerous one,” says Ruby Martinez with TxDOT.

They are teaming up with Texas law enforcement to spread awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and step up enforcement of DWIs.

“You have options that do not include getting behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking. If you do, just know that we will be out there looking for you, we will find you, and we will arrest you,” says Sgt. Tony De La Cerda with the Texas Dept. of Public Safety.

They say a DWI arrest could mean jail time and up to $17,000 in fines and fees.

“Also, as of September 2023. If you kill the parent of a child while driving impaired, you will be required to pay child support until they turn 18,” says Sgt. De La Cerda.

But by far, the biggest consequence a drunk driver can face is killing themselves or someone else. TxDOT says that in northeast Texas alone, 18 people died last year in alcohol-related crashes, and statewide, these heartbreaking incidents are far too common.

“On average, one person in Texas is killed every eight hours because of drunk driving,” says Martinez.

To drive home the consequences of this problem, TxDOT is highlighting personal stories from people who have been directly affected by a drunk driver.

“I was only four at the time. The last thing that I can recall is being buckled up in a car seat, and I woke up in the hospital a week later,” says Analicia Zarate.

Her mother was killed instantly when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and hit their car. Now, two decades later, she is still dealing with the emotional fallout from one person’s decision.

“She was unable to attend my high school and college graduation,” says Zarate. “It was really difficult when I had my daughter; that was very emotional for me. I couldn’t call my mom to let her know that I was pregnant or having a little girl.”

Officials say there are always alternatives to driving drunk, like designating a sober driver, getting a rideshare, or even just staying put until you sober up.

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