Fri, May 8, 2026 at 8:51 PM UTC
Texas troopers to step up patrols for seat belt, distracted driving violations
The Brief
The Texas Highway Patrol is stepping up the hunt for drivers who violate seat belt and distracted driving laws.
The increased enforcement runs from May 11-25 as part of the annual All-American Enforcement Campaign.
More than 150,000 tickets and warnings were written during last year’s enforcement efforts.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will soon step up enforcement of seat belt and distracted driving laws.
The annual All-American Enforcement Campaign runs from May 11 to Memorial Day on May 25.
What they’re saying
“Seat belts save lives – it’s that simple,” said THP Chief Bryan Rippee. “Buckling up is one of the easiest decisions you can make to protect yourself and your loved ones every time you get on the road.”
The THP reminded drivers of Texas’ move-over, slow-down law. It requires drivers traveling roads with multiple lanes going in the same direction to move out of the lane closest to emergency vehicles with lights activated. On two-way roads, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit.
More than 6,900 tickets have already been issued this year for move-over, slow-down violations, troopers said.
According to troopers, Texas law prohibits using portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped.
By the numbers
According to troopers, more than 156,000 tickets and warnings were written during last year’s campaign. Nearly 10,000 of them were for speeding, 3,876 of them were for driving without insurance and 780 of them were for seat belts. Just over 900 felony and fugitive arrests were also made.
The Source
Information in this story came from the Texas Department of Public Safety.