Here’s why you might see more police on major Texas highways Aug. 6-8

Texas motorists may see more Texas Department of Public Safety officers patrolling Interstates 10, 20, 35, 40 and 45 from Aug. 6-8.

The agency is participating in a multi-state campaign called Distracted Reckless Impaired Visibility Enforcement, also known as SafeDRIVE. The effort is meant to eliminate accidents involving commercial vehicles, such as semitrucks and buses, on highways, according to a news release.

The details

The campaign focuses on both passenger and commercial vehicles, the DPS said. State troopers will look for aggressive drivers, people who are speeding or tailgating, distracted drivers, people not wearing seatbelts and those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Many of the nation’s fatal commercial vehicle crashes occur along I-10, I-20, I-35, I-40 and I-45, according to the release.

Safety tips

Drivers should never tailgate large vehicles, which have blind spots on all four sides, the DPS said. To safely pass a commercial vehicle, drivers should ensure they can see the other driver in their side mirror, use their turn signal and ensure the other vehicle is visible in their rearview mirror before pulling in front of it.

It takes a semitruck driving at highway speeds the length of two football fields to stop, the release said.