2026 Operation Slowdown

The Austin Police (APD) and Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) will be joining forces for increased traffic enforcement during Operation Slowdown from Saturday, July 18th thru Sunday, August 2nd.  The focus of this enforcement will be to remind drivers to Be Safe, Drive Smart. Drive to conditions and slow down. Plan ahead, don't speed. There will be additional officers on the roadway during this period specifically looking for these violations.
 
In Texas, getting there a few minutes faster isn't worth a lifetime of consequences. Choosing to slow down is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself—and everyone else on the road.
Speeding is the leading factor in deadly crashes, accounting for roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities statewide. In 2025, speeding played a role in more than 150,000 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 1,247 fatalities and 5,652 serious injuries.
 
Speeding increases the distance you'll need to stop to avoid a crash and increases the risk that a crash will result in severe injuries or death. When you speed, you can also face an expensive fine, court costs, and higher insurance premiums.
 
To remind motorists that driving too fast can be dangerous and expensive, Tx-DOT is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the Lone Star State as they step up their efforts to enforce speed limits during Operation Slowdown. In addition to writing tickets, law enforcement vehicles will spend extra time driving the roads, reminding motorists what a safe speed looks like.
What should drivers know?
 
Smart, safe driving means more than following the speed limit. Tx-DOT has these safety tips for motorists:
 
•Match your speed to traffic, weather, and road conditions
•Increase following distance when traffic is heavy or roads are slick
•Watch for changing speed limits, especially in work zones and school zones
•Remember that fines double for speeding in active work zones and school zones
•Always buckle up—drivers and passengers—day and night. It's your best protection in a crash
 
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