Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Published on July 19, 2024
The telltale red-and-blue lights in a driver’s rearview mirror can inspire shame and guilt. However, those feelings pale in comparison to the guilt speeding drivers feel after causing injury or death, and the pain families endure when someone dies in a crash.
Speeding is a significant factor in traffic fatalities. Last year, speed contributed to over 160,000 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 1,456 deaths—accounting for one-third of all traffic-related fatalities in the state.
In response to this issue, the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) is collaborating with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on the Be Safe. Drive Smart. initiative. "Together we’re committed to keeping our roads safe and ending the streak of fatalities on Texas roadways," FWPD representatives stated. "Remember to always buckle up, avoid distractions and drive sober. Let’s work together to End the Streak."
The Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign aligns with Operation Slowdown, a statewide high-visibility speed limit enforcement period running through August 4th. During this time, Texas law enforcement agencies will intensify efforts to ensure drivers adhere to speed limits.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. emphasizes more than just following speed limits; it includes various safety tips aimed at preventing accidents and avoiding tickets.
Additionally, Be Safe. Drive Smart. is an integral part of #EndTheStreakTX—a broader social media and word-of-mouth campaign encouraging safer driving practices to end daily roadway deaths in Texas. The last day without a traffic fatality in Texas was November 7, 2000.
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