72 hour commercial vehicle blitz coming to Texas interstates

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) announced that a commercial vehicle blitz will take place on certain interstates next week.

Officials say that the Texas Highway Patrol will conduct a Distracted Reckless Impaired Visibility Enforcement or SafeDRIVE initiative August 6 — 8, 2024

During the 72 hour effort, Texas troopers will focus on “concentrated highway enforcement” of commercial vehicles on Interstates 10, 20, 35, 40 and 45.

As part of the effort to reduce commercial vehicle crashes on these major interstate corridors, troopers will target “both passenger vehicles and CMVs, looking for aggressive drivers, speeders, tailgating, failure to wear safety belts, distracted drivers, and motorists driving under the influence. SafeDRIVE will also help ensure CMV drivers are following industry regulations.”

Also as part of SafeDRIVE, Texas DPS offers the following driving tips:

• Stay out of blind spots. Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots on all four sides. 
• Pass safely. Make sure you can see the CMV driver in their side mirror. Signal clearly and safely pass the truck or bus. Don’t linger in the blind spot. Make sure the truck or bus is visible in your rearview mirror before you pull in front. 
• Don’t cut off large vehicles. It takes a large truck traveling at highway speeds the length of two football fields to stop. 
• Don’t tailgate. Tailgating a truck or bus puts you in a blind spot.  
• Buckle up. Wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death, make sure to buckle up.
• Put the phone down. Texting while driving in Texas is illegal.