BEE CAVE, Texas — More holiday travel equals a higher chance of accidents, and on the notoriously dangerous Highway 71, homeowners are paying more attention ... but so is law enforcement.
According to their Facebook page, the Bee Cave Police department was awarded a grant through the Texas Department of Transportation that will offset the costs for increased law enforcement on Highway 71 during the holiday season.
Specifically, the intersections of Hamilton Pool Road, Ranch Roads 620 and 2244 with Highway 71 will see an increase in police presence.
According to TxDOT, a 14-mile stretch of 71 has had more than 120 people injured in car accidents and 20 people have died since 2014. This year alone has seen seven fatal crashes.
For thousands of people, State Highway 71 is the only way to get home. Residents in the Sweetwater neighborhood are happy to hear law enforcement will be increased near their area.
“If law enforcement is out and they’re present, it makes a difference," said Sweetwater resident Karen Shultz.
The non-profit group Safer 71 also agrees.
"These officers are giving up time with their loved ones so that we can get home safely to ours," said Greg Short, the president of Safer 71.
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“We’re in a hurry to get to a party, or trying to rush home to be there for the kids, or we’re coming home from celebrating and we’ve had one or two drinks too many ... at this time of year we have to be extra cognizant that the roads might be a little more dangerous," said Short.
He said he would like to see the enforcement increase year round.
“We’re really looking for that enforcement continuing and we want people to know if you’re out here driving on this stretch of road and you’re speeding or you’re driving distracted or you’re driving drunk, you will get caught," said Short.
If you live near the highway and want to support Safer 71, click here.