2008 Woodie Awards
Practice safety this spring break
By: Lacie Morgan
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: News
For many students, spring break is a time for fun in the sun with friends and family.
However, because spring break takes place on many college campuses around the state simultaneously, the roads are often crowded with students traveling.
"Just because it's spring break doesn't mean it's time to take a break from common sense," said DPS director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr.
Drivers 25 and under accounted for nearly a third of the alcohol-related fatalities in Texas in 1999 alone, according to Texas Department of Public Safety records.
This number has drastically increased in recent years, as cell phone use while driving has become a growing problem. Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year, according to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Cell phone-related traffic crashes increased from 716 to 1,032 from 2000 to 2001 - a 44 percent increase, according to Department of Public Safety records.
Davis said students traveling during spring break should make sure they are well-rested and should use caution when spending time on the road.
"Leave in plenty of time to get to your destination," Davis said. "Observe the speed limit, make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and drive sober."
Senior spatial sciences major Mark Karnauch said students should take their safety into their own hands.
"It is essential to consider that nothing stands between you and a treacherous situation, with the exception of the decisions you make," Karnauch said. "The best way to stay safe while traveling is to not partake in consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs."
However, because spring break takes place on many college campuses around the state simultaneously, the roads are often crowded with students traveling.
"Just because it's spring break doesn't mean it's time to take a break from common sense," said DPS director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr.
Drivers 25 and under accounted for nearly a third of the alcohol-related fatalities in Texas in 1999 alone, according to Texas Department of Public Safety records.
This number has drastically increased in recent years, as cell phone use while driving has become a growing problem. Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year, according to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Cell phone-related traffic crashes increased from 716 to 1,032 from 2000 to 2001 - a 44 percent increase, according to Department of Public Safety records.
Davis said students traveling during spring break should make sure they are well-rested and should use caution when spending time on the road.
"Leave in plenty of time to get to your destination," Davis said. "Observe the speed limit, make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and drive sober."
Senior spatial sciences major Mark Karnauch said students should take their safety into their own hands.
"It is essential to consider that nothing stands between you and a treacherous situation, with the exception of the decisions you make," Karnauch said. "The best way to stay safe while traveling is to not partake in consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs."
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