Summer ends. Sober rides stay forever

Why it matters

• Impaired driving deaths consistently spike over Labor Day weekend in Texas. A mother shares her story of loss, while TxDOT travels the state encouraging everyone to get a sober ride during increased law enforcement efforts.

AUSTIN – The end of summer should be a time of celebration, yet Labor Day continues to be a time when too many people choose to drive impaired.

The danger is real. Last year, 35 percent of all Texas crash fatalities were drug or alcohol-related. Over Labor Day Weekend 2025, that number climbed to 57 percent, with 26 people killed in less than four days.

To help prevent more families from facing that kind of loss, TxDOT is supporting increased law enforcement efforts statewide and taking its Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign on the road. The message is simple: Drive like a Texan by being kind, courteous, and safe—and never driving impaired.

A devoted mother and officer, killed in the line of duty

Jennifer Chavis, Harris County Precinct 7 deputy constable and military veteran, dedicated her life to keeping her community safe. Sadly, she was doing just that on April 2, 2022, when she was killed by an impaired driver.

Following several 911 calls reporting erratic driver behavior, Chavis was in position to pull over the driver when he slammed into her patrol car, causing an explosion that engulfed it in flames. She did not survive, and the driver later admitted to drinking before the tragic crash.

“I still wait by the phone for my daughter’s call at night, letting me know she made it home safe,” said Tanya Childress, Chavis’ mother. “Her young son is now growing up without a mother. Her siblings must now go through life without their big sister and best friend. And all of this could have been avoided if the other driver had not made the thoughtless and selfish choice to drive while impaired.”

The deadly reality of impaired driving

During Labor Day Weekend last year, a person was killed by an impaired driver every three hours.

“There is never a good reason to drive impaired. You always have options,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Texans look out for one another. If you are celebrating Labor Day, make the choice that protects your friends, your neighbors and every other person on the road: arrange your ride before you start.”

Alcohol isn’t the only risk. Cannabis, cold medicine, prescription drugs and any substance that affects judgment or motor function can make driving dangerous. Texans have better options: call a rideshare, take public transit, designate a sober driver or stay where you are. The safest plan is the one made before impairment begins.

What is TxDOT doing?

• A former beverage delivery truck now retrofitted to deliver sober driving messages will travel the state.
• Interactive activities on the mobile display will show why impaired driving is dangerous and why planning ahead is the Texan thing to do.
• TxDOT is also providing grant funding to law enforcement agencies across the state as they boost efforts to identify and arrest impaired drivers from Aug. 14 through Sept. 7.
  • This coincides with the national heightened enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drive Sober. No Regrets. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.