rm other duties as may be
by the
make a
fore January 11 1983*the task force
its activities and recommendswritten rep0rt
of the task force shall servewithout compensa.
be responsible for their expenses.
.
WHEREAS, during the past five years, Texas' population in.creased 16%,licensed drivers increased 22%,registered motor
vehicles increased 20%,total vehicle miles traveled increased
22%,fatal- traffic accidents increased 30% and the number of
authprized highway patrol officers increased only 2.0%: and
WHEREAS, all Texans are deeply concerned over the increase in traffic fatalities .and injuries (especially DWItelated), and the safety of all citizens traveling (on Texas'
NOW, THEREFORE, I, William P. Clements, Jr., Governor of
hereinafter referred to as task force.
The task force shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the governor who shall serve for two-year terms
and at the pleasure of the,governor. The governor shall designate a chairman and vice-chairman froin the membership
who shall serve in those positions a t the pleasure of the governor.
d in Austin, Texas, on November 2, 1981.
$jishingthe Governor's Task Force on, It.afic Safety.
'
PEAS, the State of Texas has established a statewide
@.safetyprogram designed to reduce traffic accidents
,&e,resulting
.
deaths, iqjuries, and property damage; and
IREAS, in the first six months of 1981, 2,125 persons
killed in motor vehicle traffic accidents which is a 6.3%
we over the first six months of 1980; and
REAS, 4,424 persons were killed in motor vehicle traffic
ents on Texas' highways and streets in 19record
ter of traffic fatalities for the fourth consecutive year;
REAS, in 1980, the State of Texas maintained over
DO miles of public highways; and
in 1980, the total number of persons holding
driver's licenses exceeded 9.4 million and the
r of motor vehicles registered in Texas exceeded
S, the two leading causes of traffic deaths are DWIcidents and excessive speed-related accidents; and
S, in 1980, in addition to deaths, thousands of periqjured on Texas' highways in DWI-related acci~ W ' i n1980, 81,220 drivers suspected of DWI were
red alcohol breath tests and 85%were found to be
legal point of intoxication; and
The task forceis charged with the following responsibilities:
(a) examine in detail the scope of Texas' existing traffic
safety programs.and the allocation oCdrrent law enforcement manpower protecting Texas' motorists:
(b) examine in detail the current laws pertaining to the
offense of DWI:
(1) need for more stringent and mandatory pen..
alties/fines,
(2) need for improvement in existing laws;
(3) judicial discretion in sentencing, and
(4) pattern of filing public intoxication charges in lieu
of DWI;
(c) identify .the peak periods in which most alcohol-related traffic accidents occur on Texas' highways and propose
strategies to combat this problem;
(d) examine in detail the need for more stringent
eligibility requirements to obtain a Texas driver's license and
the desirability of periodic retesting of Texas drivers;
(el examine in detail the amount of resources allotted to
the Texas Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation to provide for a
safe and expeditious transportation system for Texas;
tf) inform the state's criminal justice officials, educators,
and the general public of the statewide traffic safetyprogram
with emphasis on the commitment of the leadership and
criminal justice professionals for enforcement and prosecytion of DWI offenses to enhance safety on Texas' h i g h w ~ ;
(g) inform the general public through a statewide $u$&
tion program of the physical effects of alcohol, the subgaquent impairment of motor skills on the driver, and thenus
ber of motorists i n Texas killed andiqjured due ~ a l & h i ! & - lated traffic accidents;
.c.<~:bc qL
(h) make recommendations to the govema~~ r e g ~ d i
necessary legislation or actions by the Governork QB&
'
-.
&cent her I I . I981
which will, promote the purpopes of the task force; and
nor.
.
.
governor, establish the agenda for the task force meetings.
The Trafftc Safety Section, Safety and Maintenance Opera( 1)
'
All s t a b agencies-and units of local government are hereby
directed r~ cooperate with and assist the task force in the performance d its duties.
the .pumber of illegal Mexican aliens r
(3) current living conditions,
(4) future residence plans in Texas.
( 5 i current wages received. and
( 6 ) 'other relevant profile data.
(b) Perform other duties as may be requeste
mendations to the governor.
Doc. No. 818788
William P. Clements. Jr.,
Governor of Texas
WPC - 37.
Establishing the Governor's Tavk Force on Undocumented
Mexican Workers.
All agencies of state, and local governments a
directed to cooperate with and assist the task force
formance of its duties.
rescinded. by me:
Doc. No. 818789
William P. Clements, Jr.
Governor of Texas
to vital human services: and
WHEREAS. current available estimates are that the number
of undocumented Mexican workers in Texas range .from
600,000 to three million.
WHEREAS, such documentation will enable Texas' stale
leadership lo properly advise .the administration and Congress as Lo the scope of the illegal Mexican alien problem in
Texas.
grant8 under this chapter must file ;an
designates the stale educational,agency
m ~ n d b l efor the
and
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Ut111,tti~
ti. N11ttt1n.r!)2. Ihvt*ttiln-rI i . / ! ) H I