EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 With Spring Break travel and St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations underway, the Texas Department of Public Safety is increasing patrols and traffic enforcement in an effort to curb dangerous driving.<\/p>\n
DPS said state troopers are increasing patrols statewide during Spring Break and St. Patrick\u2019s Day. DPS said the increased patrols<\/a> will continue through Tuesday.<\/p>\n In El Paso, police said officers are stepping up traffic enforcement this weekend through March 22 through a Texas Department of Transportation safety grant. Police said officers will be watching for violations including speeding, distracted driving, seat belt violations and driving while intoxicated.<\/p>\n Some drivers said the increased police presence is a needed reminder to drive safely.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it’s good. I think it’s necessary for there to be a system in place just to prevent accidents, prevent DUIs. Lately, it seems like there’s a lot of accidents occurring,\u201d one person said.<\/p>\n Another driver said enforcement is especially important during late-night hours and around St. Patrick\u2019s Day. \u201cHaving somebody monitor the roads, especially late at night is super important because this is the time, especially St. Patrick’s day because… the stigma like you have to you have to drink on Saint Patrick’s day, you have to go crazy,\u201d the person said.<\/p>\n KFOX<\/p>\n<\/p>\n El Paso police said more than 5,000 drivers were arrested for DWI in El Paso over the past two years, with 19 alcohol-related fatal crashes in 2025, following 21 in 2024 and 30 in 2023.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso Increases DWI Enforcement; Bar Owners Say Prevention Starts Inside<\/a><\/p>\n Some drivers said preventing drunk driving goes beyond enforcement and starts with planning ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cI think for the most part, it’s got to be a community thing. We got to find a way to make transport more available. Help these guys realize that it’s just not the answer to drive around like that,\u201d one person said.<\/p>\n Others said there are already plenty of options for getting home safely after a night out.<\/p>\n \u201cThere’s, Lyft and Uber. There’s plenty of resources that they can use to preplan for those things, and you can set it up on the app to have them come at a specific time. So I personally don’t think there’s an excuse,\u201d another person said.<\/p>\n \u201cJust take take an Uber. Take a lift. There are ways to have fun and still be safe,\u201d a driver said.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso gas prices jump to $3.69 a gallon, topping Texas and U.S. averages, AAA says<\/a><\/p>\n