The H-GAC region continues to lead the state in alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries. Between 2012 and 2016, the eight-county metropolitan region experienced 7,541 DWI crashes, 833 fatalities and 706 serious injuries. In 2012, H-GAC applied for and received a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to pilot a Regional DWI Task Force comprised of smaller local governments that would not normally qualify individually. The STEP grant provides funding that may be used for overtime costs for participating law enforcement agencies. The funding match is provided by the participating local government. Participating agencies have made over 1000 DWI arrests since the program began. Currently, twelve agencies throughout the region are participating in the FY16 DWI Task Force:

H-GAC has received TxDOT approval for a sixth year of funding. This funding will allow the Regional Task Force to operate up to six enforcement periods between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. H-GAC will partner will local governments during the spring of 2018 to implement the program. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day are the traditional enforcement periods. No more than ten percent of funds will be used for administrative costs and public outreach as required by TxDOT.

Request authorization to contract with TxDOT for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program; amount not to exceed $96,800. (Staff Contact: Alan Clark)