AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department made 755 traffic stops between July 18 and August 3 as part of an initiative to reduce the number of serious and fatal crashes in the Austin area, according to APD.
APD partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as well as other surrounding agencies, "to bring attention to driving safely," per a news release from APD. "Operation Slow Down" included having additional officers deploy around Austin to make those traffic stops.
According to police, "speeding contributed to nearly 160,000 traffic crashes" in Texas in 2024, which resulted in 1,467 fatalities and 5,921 serious injuries.
In Austin, 62 traffic fatalities were reported as of Aug. 2, according to KXAN. In 2024, 103 fatalities were reported, which was up from 94 in 20