DPS Increases Enforcement for Annual Distracted Driving Campaign

AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Department of Public Safety will increase patrols statewide beginning this weekend as part of a targeted effort to curb distracted driving.

The enforcement campaign will run April 6-13, with Texas Highway Patrol troopers focusing on drivers who are texting, failing to comply with the state’s Move Over or Slow Down law or otherwise driving while distracted.

The initiative coincides with Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort), a nationwide traffic enforcement campaign scheduled for April 7-14.

Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee said distracted driving continues to pose a serious safety risk.

“We are already seeing the consequences of distracted driving in 2026 – Troopers have been struck simply doing their jobs on the side of the road, and it’s preventable – there is zero tolerance for distracted driving,” said Rippee. “Every driver has a responsibility to stay alert and to Move Over or Slow Down. Lives are at stake, and the safety of everyone on the roads depends on it – just drive when you’re behind the wheel.”

State data shows that during last year’s enforcement period, troopers issued more than 79,000 citations and warnings. Those included more than 5,100 speeding violations, 335 seat belt and child restraint violations and nearly 1,850 citations for driving without insurance. Authorities also reported 345 felony and fugitive arrests during the campaign.

Under Texas law, drivers must either change lanes or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks or Texas Department of Transportation vehicles stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated. Drivers who cannot move over must reduce their speed by at least 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph if the speed limit is below 25 mph.

Violations can result in a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,250. Penalties increase for repeat offenses, and cases involving bodily injury can be charged as a state jail felony.

DPS officials said troopers have already recorded more than 5,000 Move Over or Slow Down violations in 2026.

Authorities are also reminding drivers to avoid mobile device use while driving, wear seat belts, obey speed limits and monitor road and weather conditions while traveling.