CITY OF ARLINGTON ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY INITIATIVES
VIA AND HANDITRAN PROVIDE FREE RIDES TO RESIDENTS WITH CONFIRMED COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS DURING MARCH AND APRIL VACCINATION PERIOD
Arlington was among 17 cities across the state recently recognized by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center and the Texas Department of Transportation . The 2021 traffic safety award recognizes the City ’ s robust programs that focus on eliminating all fatal car crashes within the city , reducing property damage , and protecting the safety of citizens , employees , and assets of the City . This is the 9th year that the Arlington Municipal Court has won this award .
Below are a just few highlights of the many initiatives from 2020 that illustrate Arlington ’ s continued commitment to promoting traffic safety .
Impaired Driving Enforcement : The Arlington Police Department launched a focused DWI enforcement directive with officers from the DWI Unit , the Traffic Section , and each of the four patrol districts to reduce DWIrelated crashes by 10 %.
Operation SAFE and the Road Rage Hotline : As part of the Operation Strategy Against Fatality Events ( SAFE ), officers watch for hazardous and aggressive driving behaviors that can lead to road rage incidents and vehicle crashes on the City ’ s highway network and five major arterial roadways .
Safety Seat Inspections : The Arlington Police Department continues to partner with SafeKids of Tarrant County . Officers who are trained Child Passenger Safety Technicians are sent to fire stations throughout the community to conduct inspections to ensure parents have correctly installed a child safety seat and that the seat is functioning properly . This program also provides free safety seats to those who do not have the financial ability to purchase the seats as needed .
To help meet the goal of 70 percent of Americans getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4 , the City of Arlington partnered with Tarrant County to provide free rides to Arlington ’ s vaccine sites . During March and April , Via and Handitran provided a free ride to people with a confirmed Arlington ’ s Community Vaccination Centers at the Esports Stadium and Globe Life Field .
After receiving an appointment time , residents were asked to fill out an online form available through the city website . Residents then received a promotional code via email that they could apply using the Via mobile application . Residents were able to schedule free Handitran rides by calling their administration phone number at 817-459-3704 .
The cost of a ride through Via normally runs from $ 3 to $ 5 , depending on distance . Handitran rides cost $ 2 and rides to and from the CentrePort train station cost $ 3 .
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