The Austin Police Department is once again cracking down on traffic violations as part of an annual effort to make the holiday season safer. 

APD began the annual “Home for the Holidays” traffic safety initiative last week in an effort to increase the visibility of patrol officers and target dangerous driving behavior during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. APD’s goal is to decrease the number of traffic injuries and fatalities in Austin during this time. The initiative will run until Jan. 1, according to a press release on the initiative.

According to the press release, officers will focus on increased enforcement of traffic safety violations including driver intoxication, speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changing and aggressive driving.

Austin has seen more traffic fatalities so far in 2012 than in recent years, with 69 so far. Fifty-four occurred in 2011, 49 in 2010, 62 in 2009 and 59 in 2008.

Printed on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 as: Safer holiday season initiated by police