Texas transportation officials have urged Thanksgiving holiday travelers to use care on the roads in a week that started with cold, icy weather in parts of the state.
The Texas Department of Transportation says Wednesday and the Sunday after Thanksgiving traditionally are the busiest travel days. The agency's website, drivetexas.org, provides information on highway conditions.
TxDOT says 48 people died from traffic accidents during the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday reporting period and more than 950 travelers were seriously hurt.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will be on patrol through the weekend watching for people driving drunk and other traffic violations.
In Fort Worth the Thanksgiving "No Refusal" campaign begins Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and runs through 5:30 a.m. Monday.
During that time police agencies will use search warrants to take blood from drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated who refuse to take a breath test.
Anyone arrested and charged with DWI during the "No Refusal" initiative will have their names and ages published on the Tarrant County District Attorney's website.
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"Our message this holiday season is to plan ahead and have a designated driver if you plan on drinking," Assistant District Attorney Richard Alpert said in a news release. "Jail cells and funeral homes don’t make for happy holiday memories."
AAA estimates about 3.4 million Texans will travel during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
