DPS bumping up DWI patrols for Spring Break across Texas

It's spring break 1988, and Chris Vitale and Dina Boyle, both of San Antonio, check out the crowd on Mustang Island. It's spring break 1988, and Chris Vitale and Dina Boyle, both of San Antonio, check out the crowd on Mustang Island. Photo: San Antonio Express-News Photo: San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close DPS bumping up DWI patrols for Spring Break across Texas 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

The Texas Department of Public Safety will be increasing patrols starting Saturday until March 22 as part of its DWI enforcement routine for the Spring Break holidays.

DPS troopers will focus on DWI patrols in high-risk locations at times when alcohol-related crashes are most frequent and in areas with greater concentrations of Spring Break activity, according to a news release.

RELATED: Bexar County saw more than 70 felony DWI arrests in January

DPS Director Steven McCraw said in the release that taking impaired drivers off Texas roads is a top priority during Spring Break and urges drivers to stay sober or find alternative methods of transportation if they plan on consuming alcohol.

“Drivers who disregard the law and choose to drive drunk not only put themselves and their passengers in harm’s way — they endanger everyone else on the road,” McCraw said.

Scroll through the slideshow above to see photos from Spring Breakers in the 1980s and early 1990s.

During the Spring Break enforcement period in 2014, DPS troopers made 1,389 DWI arrests, with about 170 being the direct result of the increased patrols. The enforcement also led to more than 18,886 speeding citations, 3,343 seat belt/child safety seat tickets and about 23,600 other citations.

Troopers also made 861 fugitive arrests and 728 felony arrests during this time period.

A grant from the Texas Department of Transportation funds the enhanced patrols.

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Twitter: @tylerlwhite