03/11/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eastland Police Department teams up with TxDOT to prevent drunk driving crashes.
51% of alcohol-related crashes in Texas during the 2025 holiday period involved drivers ages 17–30
03/11/2026
EASTLAND — What begins as a fun time with friends over spring break can turn tragic in an instant. That’s why TxDOT is reminding everyone, but especially students on spring break, to never
drive after drinking any amount of alcohol. Eastland Police Department and law enforcement officers across the state will ramp up efforts to identify and arrest drunk drivers from March 6 through March 22, coinciding with the national heightened enforcement period sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During the 2025 spring break period, there were 354 alcohol-related crashes in Texas involving drivers between the ages of 17 and 30, including thirteen deaths. That’s more than half of all drunk driving crashes in the same 10-day period.
“There is never a good reason to drive after drinking,” Tim Pitts, Chief of Police said. “Everyone has the opportunity to choose a sober ride and prevent horrific crashes.”Students can save lives by designating a sober driver, using rideshares, taxis and mass transit,
or simply staying put after drinking, and they can look out for their friends, too. Never get in the car with a friend who has been drinking. Instead, encourage them to always get a sober ride.
What might be an uncomfortable conversation could save a life.
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.com.
For more information, contact Eastland Police Department at 254-629-1700 opt. 7 or [email protected].
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer's Crash
Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed for the Spring Break time period by the department as
of February 5, 2026.