Police Ready To Pull Over Good Drivers
POSTED: Thursday, March 9, 2006
AUSTIN, Texas -- Drivers pulled over on Travis County, Texas, roads this week could be pleasantly surprised to find out they'd been targeted for driving well.
The Travis County Sheriff's Department and the Round Rock Express minor-league baseball team announced a program to reward good drivers with free Express tickets.
The team is joining with law enforcement on a "Drivers Safety Week" initiative.
Sheriff Greg Hamilton said his deputies will stop motorists just as they would during a routine traffic stop. He acknowledged that some drivers are likely to be upset before an explanation.
"Drivers Safety Week" will take place in Travis County from March 7-12. The Express are donating tickets to 2006 home games at The Dell Diamond to the Travis County Sheriff's Office. The tickets will be used as incentives to motorists to drive safely and observe traffic rules, according to a news release from the team.
Sheriff's officials said the Express has given the department about 200 tickets, which will be distributed by 20 deputies.
During "Drivers Safety Week," Travis County Motor and Traffic Units will be rewarding motorists who they observe to be driving safely and courteously and obeying the rules of the road. These individuals will be stopped by the officers and presented with a "Be Our Guest" card good for two tickets to a Round Rock Express home game, the team said.
"It is important that we patrol and enforce the traffic laws of the State of Texas, but it is equally important that we recognize the safe drivers of our community," Hamilton said. "That is why we are pleased that the Round Rock Express have agreed to team up with us for this event."
The program was introduced on a trial basis in 2005 and is being expanded to its own official week this year.
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