Texas Register, Volume 6, Number 92, Pages 4567-4656, December 11, 1981 Page: 4,573
4567-4656 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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THE GOVERNOR 573
S (c) examine in detail the Federal Aviation Administra-
tion's rules and regulations affecting Texas' intrastate and
interstate aeronautical development;
(d) assess and project the state's future aeronautical de-
mands; and
(e) perform other duties as may be requested by the
governor.
On or before January 1, 1983, the task force shall make a
complete written report of its activities and recommenda-
tions to the governor.
The task force shall meet regularly at the call of the chair-
man. A majority of the membership shall constitute a
quorum. The chairman shall, with the consultation of the
governor, establish the agenda for task force meetings.
The members of the task force shall serve without compensa-
tion and shall be responsible for their expenses.
All agencies of state and local governments are hereby
directed to cooperate with and assist the task force in the per-
formance of its duties.
This executive order shall be effective immediately and shall
remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or
rescinded by me.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 2, 1981.Doc. No. 818787
William P. Clements, Jr.
Govemor of TexasFor further information, please call (512) 475-3021.
WPC - 36
Establishing the Governor's Task Force on Traffic Safety.
WHEREAS, the State of Texas has established a statewide
traffic safety program designed to reduce traffic accidents
and the resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage; and
WHEREAS, in the first six months of 1981, 2,125 persons
were killed in motor vehicle traffic accidents which is a 6.3%
increase over the first six months of 1980; and
WHEREAS, 4,424 persons were killed in motor vehicle traffic
accidents on Texas' highways and streets in 1980--a record
number of traffic fatalities for the fourth consecutive year;
and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the State of Texas maintained over
267,000 miles of public highways; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the total number of persons holding
valid Texas driver's licenses exceeded 9.4 million and the
total number of motor vehicles registered in Texas exceeded
10.8 million; and
WHEREAS, the two leading causes of traffic deaths are DWI-
related accidents and excessive speed-related accidents; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, in addition to deaths, thousands of per-
sons were injured on Texas' highways in DWI-related acci-
dents; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, 81,220 drivers suspected of DWI were
administered alcohol breath tests and 85% were found to be
above the legal point of intoxication; andWHEREAS, in 1980, the Highway Patrol of the Texas
Department of Public Safety charged 40,273 motorists with
DWI and in the first six months of 1981, 21.905 motorists
have been charged with DWI; and
WHEREAS, during the past five years, Texas' population in-
creased 16%, licensed drivers increased 22%, registered motor
vehicles increased 20%, total vehicle miles traveled increased
22%, fatal traffic accidents increased 30%, and the number of
authorized highway patrol officers increased only 2.0%; and
WHEREAS, the current strength of the Highway Patrol Ser-
vice of the Texas Department of Public Safety provides only
one officer, including supervisors, for every 133 miles of high-
way; and
WHEREAS, all Texans are deeply concerned over the in-
crease in traffic fatalities and injuries (especially DWI-
related), and the safety of all citizens traveling on Texas'
highways is imperative.
NOW THEREFORE, I, William P. Clements, Jr., Governor of
Texas, under the authority vested in me do herebyrcreate and
establish the Governor's Task Force ern Traffic Safety,
hereinafter referred to as task force.
The task force shall consist of not more than 15 members ap-
pointed by the governor who shall serve for two-year terms
and at the pleasure of the governor. The governor shall desig-
nate a chairman and vice-chairman from the membership
who shall serve in those positions at the pleasure of the gover-
nor.
The task force is charged with the following responsibilities:
(a) examine in detail the scope of Texas' existing traffic
safety programs and the allocation of current law enforce-
ment manpower protecting Texas' motorists:
(b) examine in detail the current laws pertaining to the
offense of DWI:
(1) need for more stringent and mandatory pen-
alties/fines,
(2) need for improvement in existing laws,
(3) judicial discretion in sentencing, and
(4) pattern of filing public intoxication charges in lieu
of DWI;
(c) identify the peak periods in which most alcohol-re-
lated traffic accidents occur on Texas' highways and propose
strategies to combat this problem;
(d) examine in detail the need for more stringent
eligibility requirements to obtain a Texas driver's license and
the desirability of periodic retesting of Texas drivers;
(e) examine in detail the amount of resources allotted to
the Texas Department of Public Safety and the State Depart-
ment of Highways and Public Transportation to provide for a
safe and expeditious transportation system for Texas;
(f) inform the state's criminal justice officials, educators,
and the general public of the statewide traffic safety program
with emphasis on the commitment of the leadership and
criminal justice professionals for enforcement and prosecu-
tion of DWI offenses to enhance safety on Texas' highways;
(g) inform the general public through a statewide educa-
tion program of the physical effects of alcohol, the subse-
quent impairment of motor skills on the driver, and the num-
ber of motorists in Texas killed and injured due to alcohol-re-
lated traffic accidents;
(h) make recommendations to the governor regarding
necessary legislation or actions by the Governor's OfficeVolmn 6. Num her 92. Dc'cm her I 1. 198
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Texas. Secretary of State. Texas Register, Volume 6, Number 92, Pages 4567-4656, December 11, 1981, periodical, December 11, 1981; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth244443/m1/7/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.