The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Sept. 2 that it is stepping up enforcement for Labor Day weekend, with more troopers on the roads including for Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort, known as Operation CARE, which runs Sept. 4-7.
According to the agency’s Sept. 2 news release, Operation CARE is a specialized campaign in which Texas Highway Patrol troopers look for drivers who are speeding, intoxicated, not complying with the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law or violating other laws.
“As Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, we know many Texans will be hitting the road to celebrate with family and friends,” Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee said in the release. “While our Troopers will be out across the state working to keep our roads safe, we want to remind drivers to do their part on the road – slow down, eliminate distractions, drive sober and buckle up. By making responsible choices, we can all close out the summer season safely.”
The scale of last year’s effort underscores the stakes. According to DPS, troopers issued more than 63,015 citations and warnings during the 2025 Labor Day enforcement campaign, including 5,233 for speeding, 1,594 for no insurance and more than 346 for individuals without seat belts or child seat restraints. The agency said it also arrested 211 people on DWI charges and 250 people on other felony charges.
DPS urged drivers not to drink and drive and to make alternate plans if consuming alcohol. The agency also reminded motorists to move over or slow down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks stopped with emergency lights activated, noting that there have been more than 13,215 Move Over, Slow Down violations so far in 2026. Other tips in the release included buckling up everyone in the vehicle, slowing down in bad weather and construction zones, eliminating distractions such as mobile devices, using the left lane for passing only, giving large trucks room, clearing the traffic lanes after a non-injury crash when it is safe to do so, and checking that vehicles are properly maintained and cargo is secure.
The department also reminded Texans about the iWatchTexas program for reporting suspicious activity, which it called especially important as people gather for parades, festivals and other community events. Tips can be reported through the website, the free iWatch mobile app or by calling 844-643-2251, and all reports are confidential, according to DPS. The agency noted that iWatchTexas is not for emergencies, which should be reported by calling 911.