DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - The Texas Department of Transportation is warning people planning a road trip for Spring Break to expect a different experience than during their regular commute.
"Our travel patterns are usually disrupted around Spring Break," says TxDOT's Bethany Kurtz. "The kids aren't going to school. Some of us take off work. We tend to make travel decisions that are outside of our normal routine. There are more families on the roads, more people on vacation or in spots they're not familiar with."
Last year, TxDOT reported 444 crashes involving a young person who was driving under the influence during Spring Break. Eleven people died; 37 others had serious injuries.
In North Texas, Kurtz says TxDOT recorded 211 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities during Spring Break in 2018.
"All alcohol-related crashes are 100 percent preventable," Kurtz says. "That person could have decided just not to drink and drive. We would really like to see this number come down."
TxDOT says a drunk driving arrest can cost up to $17,000 in court costs and fines. The agency is advising people on spring break to use ride-sharing or mass transit, designate a sober driver ahead of time or spend the night somewhere.
TxDOT has been running a program called, #EndtheStreak. The state has had a fatal crash every day since November 7, 2000.