Texas Police Stopping Drivers for One of the Most Deadly Reasons

From April 7th until April 14th, the Texas State Troopers are going to double the manpower on Texas highways.

A Dangerous Trend Texas Must Stop

If you've been on Texas highways lately, you've probably seen it: drivers staring at their phones, unaware of their surroundings. Tragically, it's a leading cause of the growing number of fatal crashes across our state. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is saying enough is enough.

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From April 7 through April 14, DPS will launch an all-out enforcement campaign focused on distracted driving. This means doubling trooper presence on highways, interstates, and back roads as part of Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort). Their mission: stop distracted drivers before they cause more loss of life.

DPS Targets Distracted Drivers and Move-Over Violations

According to Colonel Freeman F. Martin of DPS, “Distracted driving is not just dangerous, it’s deadly.” Drivers caught texting, speeding, or failing to obey the Move Over or Slow Down law will be pulled over and cited. Last year alone, over 67,000 citations were issued during this campaign, including hundreds of arrests for more serious offenses.

In 2025, over 3,100 Texans have already violated the Move Over, Slow Down law. Let that sink in.

Here’s what the law requires:

• Vacate the lane closest to emergency or TxDOT vehicles with lights flashing
• Slow down by at least 20 mph below the posted limit
• If the posted limit is under 25 mph, slow to 5 mph
• Violators face fines up to $1,250, and if bodily injury occurs, a possible state jail felony.

A Personal Reminder to Buckle Up the Right Way

Let me share something personal. I was born with one arm and for years I would slip the shoulder strap of my seat belt under my left armpit, it was more comfortable that way. But my friend, Sergeant Marc Couch of the Texas DPS, saw me doing that one day and gave me a wake-up call.

He told me straight: “Rudy if I catch you driving like that again, I’ll have to pull you over.” It wasn’t about giving me a ticket, it was about keeping me alive. He reminded me that properly wearing a seat belt is the law, and it's what we should be teaching every Texan, including our kids. He said, “We’d be doing our children an injustice if we didn’t correct them.” That stuck with me.

Now I wear my seat belt the right way because if something happened to me and he hadn’t spoken up, he would’ve carried that guilt. That’s what this DPS campaign is all about, correction, protection, and saving lives.

Stay Safe: DPS Safety Reminders for All Texans

• Put your phone down. It’s illegal to read, write, or send a text while driving unless your vehicle is stopped.
• Let passengers operate your GPS. Your eyes should be on the road, not the screen.
• Buckle up. It’s not just smart, it’s the law.
• Don’t drink and drive. Always have a backup plan.
• Drive slower in poor conditions. Weather, traffic, and construction zones demand more caution.

Report hazards. Use the Texas Roadside Assistance number: 1-800-525-5555 (also found on your license).

Final Thought

Texans are dying needlessly. Distracted driving can take a life in a blink. DPS isn’t just cracking down to write tickets—they're working to make sure we all get home safe.

Let’s do our part. Drive alert. Move over. Slow down. And remember, we’re all responsible for each other on these roads.