The Texas Department of Public Safety has designated the period from Wednesday, Dec. 31 through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, as the New Year’s holiday period. During this holiday period the Highway Patrol Troopers will be assisted by troopers from the commercial vehicle unit and driver license. The goal is safe highways during the holidays,

Troopers will be out in full strength looking for hazardous drivers, such as DWI, speeders, following too close, cutting in and out of traffic and drivers and passengers not wearing their safety belts. The DPS has a zero tolerance for safety belt violations. There are no warnings).

During this holiday period many fatalities are alcohol related and pedestrians involved. The department reminds everyone that most fatal accidents occur less than 25 miles from home.

If you plan to drink, make sure ahead of time that you have a designated driver who is not drinking any alcohol to insure that you make it home safely.

Last year during the New Years Holiday period, the Texas Highway Patrol investigated one fatal collision in Victoria and surrounding counties.

Pedro Mendez, 56, was killed in a one-vehicle (commercial bus) collision on U.S.59, four miles south of Victoria. The driver ran off the road and overturned and several people were injured in this collision.

During the 2006-2007 holiday period Andres Martinez Flores, 41, was killed in a one-vehicle tree collision on Mission River Oaks Road 25 miles East of Woodsboro. He was not wearing a safety belt.

Over the 2005-2006 New Years holiday there were no fatal collisions.

During the 2004-2005 New Years holiday period there were no fatal collisions.

The 2003-2004 New Years holiday period there were two fatal collisions.

Manuel Joshua Sanchez III, 18, was killed in a two-vehicle broadside collision on U.S. 59 at Beck Rd. East. Alice Jarvis, 77, was killed in a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. 77 at Aloe Rd.

During the 2002-2003 New Years holiday there was one fatal collision, a one-vehicle accident in which the vehicle struck a utility pole on Nursery Drive south of Raab Road. Billy Leeton Culpepper, 81, was killed.

The Department is asking all motorist to help make our roads and highways safer during the period by not drinking before driving, driving a safe speed, and being courteous to other drivers.

To report collisions or drunk drivers, call 911 or DPS Communications for Victoria 361 698-5600.