Evan Andrews - THE BATTALION

Driving with C.A.R.E.

No matter where students are going this winter break to celebrate the holiday season, the Texas Department of Public Safety gives safety advice for the road ahead.

By: Kristen Dwyer

Posted: 12/8/08

With the semester finishing up, many students are looking forward to the fast-approaching winter break.

For freshmen, having more than a month off for break instead of one or two weeks is a new thing. For graduating seniors, it is a stressful time because of changes like moving back home or to a new place of residence. For the visiting Sea Aggies, the break means leaving College Station and resuming class attendance in Galveston next semester.

Katie Sivils, a sophomore civil engineer major, said she will be busy all winter break. She will be going home and working in the toy store she has worked in since high school.

"I am working and going skiing for a few days," Sivils said.

Teri Smith is graduating with a double major in French and German in December. Smith was in Germany last year and said she cannot wait to go back. Even if she does not have a job in Germany yet, Smith said she is still going to live there.

"I'm going to spend time with my family [during the break] and pack my things up to move to Germany in January," Smith said.

John Ramirez, a senior human resource development major, said he is going home to Corpus Christi for the break, but he will be busy preparing for the summer.

"I will be interviewing for internships," Ramirez said.

Jennifer Brown, who is in residency to be a veterinary clinical pathologist, said she and her husband will be traveling. Brown said she is used to flying because she is from New York and realizes winter weather can impact her travels.

"Over winter break, Steve and I are flying to Rochester, N.Y., to see my family for five days, then to Waterford, Mich., to see his until after New Year's."

Elissa Emmons, a junior poultry science major, said she is enrolled in a mini-mester in College Station, but will also be working during winter break.

"I drive home on holidays," she said. "It is about six hours. I stay awake by stopping and taking breaks. Caffeine helps."

On-campus students have to be out of the dorms by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Many students are excited to finish with finals and head out, but the Texas Department of Public Safety said caution is necessary.

"We want you to get to your destination safely," said Col. Stan Clark, interim director of the DPS. "Be patient. There will be a lot of other families traveling and traffic is likely to be congested. Leave yourself plenty of time to get where you're going and drive friendly. Slow down, buckle up and drive sober."

Clarke said all available DPS troopers will be patrolling highways looking for speeders, drunk drivers and those not properly secured by safety restraints. DPS has a no-warnings policy for seat belt and child restraint violations.

"Troopers are participating in Operation CARE - Combined Accident Reduction Effort," Clarke said. "[Operation CARE is] a nationwide effort by police agencies to reduce fatalities on major interstate highways during holiday weekends."

The DPS expects a large number of travelers on the road and encourages drivers to leave themselves plenty of time to reach their holiday destinations.

DPS safety tips:

Avoid bad driving habits that can lead to road rage, such as
n Not using turn signals
n Driving in the passing lane
n Tailgating, flashing lights or honking
n Using high beams in traffic
n Not allowing adequate time for a given trip

When confronted with aggressive drivers, the DPS
recommends that you
n Put your pride in the back seat and move aside.
n Do not speed up, block lanes, slam or tap on brakes.
n Report extreme cases of reckless driving to the appropriate authorities when the incident occurs.
n Do not retaliate, gesture or make eye contact.
n Make sure everyone is buckled up.