Ending the Streak This Holiday

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My Thanksgiving memories, like most of yours, revolve around family dinners. Most involve stories, laughter, football games, tree decorating, recipes that were overcooked, those that weren’t cooked long enough and the best desserts ever.

For many people, traveling is a big part of the holidays and probably the part that is the most time consuming.

Whether standing in line at a crowded airport or driving a traffic-jammed highway, we all want to make it safely to be with our loved ones.

Good memories or not, this is the time of year to ponder your life’s blessings. For most of us, they could fill a book.

For some, the holidays are not a joyous time, but as long as we have a heartbeat, we all have something for which to be thankful.

I never had to travel to be with family on the holidays, but I remember watching news reports of frozen airports and snow-covered roads and feeling sorry for those who did. I couldn’t figure out what was worse – crowded roads or crowded cars.

Even in the best of moods, some of you will likely have your patience challenged before you reach your destination.

Before you lose your mind in holiday traffic, take a deep breath and think about what a privilege it is to be able to make memories with loved ones again this year.

We are thankful for our blessings and accomplishments at the Texas Department of Transportation. We also like to make changes that make life a little easier for you as your travel the roadways. During this holiday season, we have our sights set on a big accomplishment that will take all of us to make it happen.

Texas has not had a single day without a fatality since Nov. 7, 2000. That represents a 16-year record that needs to be broken. We want to stop the fatalities and the annual “End The Streak” safety campaign is aimed at doing just that.

We want every driver to remember that staying alert, obeying all traffic laws and taking personal responsibility behind the wheel is all it will take to break that record.

The number of fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes on Texas roadways since Nov. 7, 2000 stands at 55,578.

The leading causes continue to be failure to maintain a single lane, alcohol and speed. Distracted driving is also racing to the top of that list.

TxDOT Executive Director James Bass reminded us all recently that those numbers represent a lost spouse, a child, a

friend or neighbor who never made it to their destinations. They won’t have the choice to drive safely or stay alert on their way to a holiday dinner this year.

We want to see many days in Texas without a fatality. Let’s all do our part to begin to make that happen. I invite you to stay informed and post comments on Twitter at TxDOT Lufkin or on Facebook at the Texas Department of Transportation using the hashtag #EndTheStreakTX.

Post your happiest holiday photos along with comments about your travels and tag me at TxDOT Lufkin on Twitter. I would love to hear about them. We want you to also share with us in the excitement when our leaders announce that we have succeeded in ending the streak of daily fatalities in Texas.

Most of all, we want you and yours to pause and be thankful, make a happy memory and appreciate that every life is precious. Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

Rhonda Oaks
Rhonda Oaks is the Public Information Officer for the nine-county Lufkin District of the Texas Department of Transportation. A Lufkin native, she is a graduate of Hudson High School and Angelina College. She has a background in print journalism and worked for many years as a newspaper reporter and a freelance writer. She has received eight Associated Press awards. Her articles have been published in many publications over the past 25 years.

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