Texas governor issues plea to Thanksgiving travelers

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has urged drivers to remain vigilant during Thanksgiving travel to ensure safety on the roads.

On Tuesday, the governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “When you’re traveling to visit loved ones this Thanksgiving, remain vigilant on the road. Eliminate distractions and arrive at your destination safely.”

Abbott’s message included a repost of a Monday safety notice from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which highlighted the dangers of distracted driving as a record 71 million Americans are set to travel for the holiday, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported.

In its X post, the Texas DPS wrote: “Distracted driving is dangerous and preventable. This holiday season, keep your focus on the road. Check out today’s video for tips on how to minimize distractions and arrive safely.”

A video accompanying the DPS post featured Sergeant Bryan Washko who gave drivers a series of safety tips.

“Distracted driving is dangerous for you and everyone else on the road. Put your phone away, silence notifications, and store your phone out of reach while driving,” he said.

Washko added: “Limit in car distractions. Avoid activities that take your focus off the roads, such as eating, changing music, or reaching for items. Engage passengers. If you’re traveling with others, ask a passenger to help with tasks like navigation or phone calls. Taking these simple steps will help everyone have a safe and happy holiday season. From everyone here at DPS, happy holidays.”

Newsweek has contacted the DPS via email for comment.

DPS has announced an increased traffic enforcement effort from Wednesday through Sunday to prioritize road safety during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Texas Highway Patrol will focus on violations such as driving while intoxicated, speeding, failing to wear seat belts, and ignoring the “Move Over, Slow Down” law, which protects emergency responders and others stopped on the side of the road.

“With Thanksgiving around the corner, we remind everyone to stay vigilant on the roads. There can be countless distractions this time of year, but your safety and the safety of others is what matters most,” DPS Director Steven McCraw stated in a Monday press release.

During last year’s Thanksgiving enforcement effort, DPS issued 41,093 warnings and citations, including 11,525 for speeding, 1,310 for driving without insurance, and 596 for seat belt violations.

Safety tips provided by DPS include eliminating distractions, buckling up, avoiding impaired driving, slowing down in poor conditions, and reporting hazards to law enforcement.

Drivers are also encouraged to monitor weather and road conditions online to plan their travel routes.