Summary: Starting 16 December 2022, Willow Park Police are implementing their Impaired Driving Mobilization Program on I20 through Willow Park, including access roads and U-turns. Drink. Drive. Go To Jail. In November 2022, our Willow Park Police Department entered into an agreement with TxDOT for extended policing to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, during four, annual time periods. / Was Blog "Grant will help WP police enforce traffic safety" posted 18 November 2022
Latest Update: Friday, 16 December, 2022
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Willow Park Police Department is implementing it Impaired Driving Mobilization Program starting 16 December through 01 January.
The Willow Park Police Department is implementing its TxDot Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), Impaired Driving Mobilization Program on 16 December through 01 January. Willow Park officers will be working overtime, conducting high-visibility enforcement in the STEP Zone along I20 through Willow Park, including access roads and U-turns.
Willow Park officers will be working overtime, conducting high-visibility enforcement during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. This enforcement wave starts Dec. 16 and end on Jan 1.
Our goal is to reduce DWI's and help continue keeping our city safe for everyone to be able to enjoy Christmas and the upcoming New Year.
If you need a ride, call someone. Call us if you have nobody. We will help find someone for you so you stay safe, and not hurt others.
Drink Responsible.
Drink, Drive....Go To Jail.
Additonal Information
• Willow Park City Council Meeting 15 November 2022, Agenda exhibits include budget summary and zone maps.
• Grant will help police enforce traffic safey, The Community News, 18 November 2022, Excerpts: Traveling through Willow Park via Interstate 20 is about to get a little safer.
At least that’s the plan after the [Willow Park] city council approved an agreement between the Willow Park Police Department and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The agreement puts in place a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) - Impaired Driving Mobilization e-Grant to be awarded to the WPPD.
Through the 80/20 matching grant, TxDOT will award the WPPD up to $11,965.09 (80 percent) and the city will match up to $2,991.28 for four “waves,” or specific times of the year. During each wave Willow Park police officers will work overtime to conduct high visibility saturation of patrolling within the enforcement zone (the city limits), especially along the I-20 corridor.
“As part of our commitment to public safety, we entered into an agreement with TxDOT to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” Willow Park Police Chief Carrie West said.
Willow Park Police Sergeant Jaclin Ramirez presented the request to the council, noting that the department has responded to 120 crashes in the past 12 months.
“That doesn’t include assists we do all the way to the county line,” Ramirez said, adding that speeding is almost always a factor.
The speed limit along I-20 through Willow Park is 70 miles per hour.
Ramirez noted that the enforcement will not include traffic stop checkpoints.
The waves include [the following]:
Christmas/New Year’s, Dec. 16-Jan. 1.
Spring Break, March 3-19.
Independence Day, June 23-July 9.
Labor Day, Aug. 18-Sept. 4.
Ramirez said there will be a two-week campaign period with the public through such outlets as schools, social media and more.
• Capital Highlights: Safe driving urged during holiday season > Legislators begin filing bills ahead of session, 25 November 2022, The Community News
The Texas Department of Public Transportation is urging holiday season motorists to exert caution and to especially not drink and drive.
The state saw 48,641 traffic crashes during the holiday season from Dec.1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022, with 433 fatalities and 1,695 serious injuries. Nearly a quarter of those deaths – 23% – were related to drunk drivers, according to TxDOT.
“Get together with family and friends and have a great time, but please find an alternative way home if you choose to drink,” Marc Williams, TxDOT executive director, said. “You have many options available.”
Those options include a designated sober driver, calling a taxi or rideshare service, public transportation, or just staying put.
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