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TxDOT’s four goals: Maintain a safe system, address congestion, connect Texas communities, and be a Best-in-Class state agency
For Immediate Release
Dec. 4, 2013
TxDOT URGES TEXANS TO GIVE THE GIFT OF A SOBER RIDE DURING BUSY
HOLIDAY SEASON
TxDOT’s Sober Ride Sleigh visits 15 Texas cities (download video and photos here)
AUSTIN —As a reminder to keep the holidays happy and safe, the Texas Department of
Transportation is urging Texans to give themselves and others the gift of a sober ride as they
make the rounds to their seasonal celebrations. To raise awareness, TxDOT’s Sober Ride Sleigh
— a donated holiday-decorated limousine with a giant bow on top — is visiting select cities,
making stops at shopping malls, popular landmarks, parades and other events to encourage the
gifts of safety and sober driving.
“When it comes to the holidays, planning is everything,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive
director. “The best holiday planners make exhaustive checklists as they prepare for the perfect
party or favorite holiday meal. Planning for a sober ride is no different. This year, a sober ride
should be on every holiday to-do list.”
During last year’s holiday season (Dec. 1, 2012 to Jan. 1, 2013), there were 776 DWI-alcoholrelated crashes in Texas, resulting in 239 serious injuries and 78 fatalities – a 21.8-percent
increase in fatalities compared with the previous holiday season. In an effort to curb holiday
crashes and fatalities, TxDOT’s Sober Ride Sleigh gears up as law enforcement officers increase
patrols. Officers throughout the state will work thousands of additional hours to crack down on
drunk driving, including implementing no-refusal programs in many jurisdictions.
Be a Holiday Hero; Win a Trip to New York
Making a personal commitment to drive sober is one of the best ways to be a holiday hero. This
year, being a holiday hero also means Texans can win a trip for two to New York to celebrate
New Year’s Eve in iconic style -- a prize donated to TxDOT’s holiday anti-drunk driving
campaign. To win the trip, Texans must pledge to have a sober ride this holiday season. They
can enter the trip contest in various ways, including by text (text the keyword “SoberRide” to
42330), online (at SoberRides.org) or by tweeting (tweet “I pledge to have a #soberride this
holiday season @TxDOT”). Closer to home, the runner-up prize is a limo ride in any Texas city
on New Year’s Eve.
Sober Rides Make Great Gifts
Assisting in this life-saving campaign, the Texas Hospitality Association is distributing
messages about sober driving across the state via TxDOT-branded materials in stores, bars and
restaurants where alcohol is sold. Also, Capital Metro in Austin is partnering with TxDOT to
encourage people to use the bus as their sober ride home. The National Safety Council also is
joining TxDOT to encourage Texas employers to remind their employees to line up sober rides
during the holiday season.
The TxDOT Sober Ride Sleigh tour:
 Dec. 3 in Brownwood
 Dec. 4 in Odessa/Midland
 Dec. 5 in San Angelo
 Dec. 6 in Amarillo
 Dec. 7 in Childress
 Dec. 8 in Wichita Falls
 Dec. 10 in Austin
 Dec. 11 in Waco
 Dec. 12 in Paris
 Dec. 13 in Tyler
 Dec. 14 in Atlanta
 Dec. 16 in Yoakum
 Dec. 19 in Pharr
 Dec. 20 in Laredo
 Dec. 21 in San Antonio
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or
(512) 463-8700.
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Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting
aviation, rail, and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 11,000 employees are committed to working
with others to provide safe and reliable transportation solutions for Texas by maintaining a safe system, addressing
congestion, connecting Texas communities, and being a Best in Class state agency. Find out more at www.txdot.gov.
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