Young drivers in Texas urged to make responsible choices to prevent drunk driving crashes

Texas – Spring break is a time for fun and celebration, but for many young Texans, it has also become a time of tragedy and loss. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reminding students that drinking and driving can turn a night of fun into a lifelong nightmare. Their Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign aims to educate young drivers on the dangers of impaired driving and prevent devastating crashes.

A Heartbreaking Loss That Could Have Been Prevented

The consequences of drinking and driving are all too real for David Elizalde, who lost his 17-year-old daughter, Andrea Elizalde, in a horrific crash in 2019. Andrea, a high school senior with dreams of becoming a brain surgeon, was riding in a Corvette with a friend who had been drinking. That night, the driver lost control of the car at 110 mph, crashing into a light pole on an Amarillo highway. Andrea was thrown from the vehicle and tragically lost her life just weeks before her graduation.

Determined to turn his pain into purpose, David Elizalde founded Andrea’s Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence. Through school visits and awareness campaigns, he shares his daughter’s tragic story in hopes of saving lives.

“If I can save people from getting DWIs and save people’s lives, I’ll have really accomplished something in my daughter’s honor,” Elizalde said.

Spring Break Brings an Increase in Drunk Driving Crashes

Unfortunately, stories like Andrea’s are not rare. Every year, spring break leads to a spike in drunk driving crashes among young adults in Texas. During the 2023 spring break period, 375 alcohol-related crashes involved drivers between ages 17 and 30. These crashes resulted in nine deaths, accounting for more than half of all drunk driving crashes in that 10-day period.

To combat this dangerous trend, TxDOT is partnering with campus organizations, including U in the Driver Seat, to spread awareness among students throughout March. The message is simple—designate a sober driver, use rideshare services, take a taxi, use public transportation, or stay where you are if you have been drinking.

“There is never a good reason to drive after drinking,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams stated. “Everyone has the opportunity to choose a sober ride and prevent horrific crashes.”

TxDOT’s Interactive Exhibit Shows the Risks of Drunk Driving

This year, TxDOT is taking its message on the road with the “DWI Not So Fun House”, an interactive mobile exhibit that demonstrates the dangers of impaired driving. The exhibit features:

• Video testimonies from survivors and offenders who share how drunk driving changed their lives
• An arcade-style driving simulator that shows the effects of alcohol on motor skills and reaction time

By giving young people a firsthand look at the consequences of impaired driving, TxDOT hopes to drive home the message that one poor decision can change everything.

Ending the Streak of Daily Deaths on Texas Roads

The Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is part of #EndTheStreakTX, a larger effort aimed at stopping the daily loss of lives on Texas roadways. Since November 7, 2000, not a single day has gone by without a traffic-related death in Texas. TxDOT is committed to breaking this tragic streak by encouraging drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel.

The data from TxDOT is based on official crash reports, with the 2023 spring break period running from March 10 at 5 p.m. to March 19 at 11:59 p.m. These statistics highlight the urgent need for responsible decision-making on the road.

Make the Right Choice This Spring Break

Spring break should be a time for fun, relaxation, and making great memories—not for tragedy and loss. By choosing not to drive under the influence, students can protect themselves and others from deadly crashes. Andrea Elizalde’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, and her father’s mission serves as a powerful call to action.

Young drivers in Texas hold the power to prevent these tragedies. Whether it’s calling a sober friend, using a rideshare service, or making the choice to never drink and drive, one small decision can save lives. TxDOT’s Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is a wake-up call to all students—because one moment of recklessness can change everything forever.