The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has designated the period from Friday, Dec. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 26, as the Christmas holiday period and has assigned all available troopers to work during this period.

During this holiday period, highway patrol troopers will be assisted by commercial vehicle and drivers license troopers. Special emphasis will be shown for hazardous violations such as speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes and driving while intoxicated.

Last year, over the Christmas holiday period, Susano Vala 23, was killed in a one-vehicle tree collision in Lavaca County on County Road 387. He was not wearing a safety belt.

During the 2008 holiday period, Harry Hughes Jr. was killed in two-vehicle head-on crash on US 183 in Golidad County. He was wearing a safety belt.

During the 2006 and 2007 Christmas holiday period there were no fatal collisions.

To make this a safe holiday for you and your family the DPS is urging all motorist to buckle up, drive within the posted speed limits, do not follow too closely, try a three to four second following distance, and to not drink and drive.

Remember to slow down in bad weather, construction areas and in heavy traffic.