Freestyle Foundation

The staff of the Freestyle Foundation wishes you a joyous holiday season as we celebrate with our friends and family in Collin County! We have enjoyed partnering with you to provide resources and to inform the community about being safe, healthy, and substance free this year. As we start 2025, our staff looks forward to many more opportunities to connect and collaborate throughout the community!

• Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
• Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to other drivers who are stopped on the side of the road.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle, it’s the law.
• Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
• Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger manage it, so you can keep your eyes on the road.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
• Don’t drive fatigued — allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
• If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s illegal.
• Check your vehicle to make sure it’s properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
• Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
• Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.

Texas was ranked the third-worst state for drunk driving in 2023. A report by ForbesAdvisor revealed that:

• The Lone Star State ranks second worst for both the share of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (8.30 per 100,000 licensed drivers) and percentage of traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers (42.37%).
• Texas also stands out as the state with the third-highest rate of drunk drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes (0.94 per 100,000 licensed drivers).
• More than five (5.14) people are killed in crashes involving a drunk driver for every 100,000 state residents (the sixth-highest amount).

The holidays can be difficult, especially for individuals facing loss, mental health struggles, loneliness, and grief. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, counselors are available 24/7 to help with mental health struggles, emotional distress, and alcohol or drug use concerns. Even if a person just needs someone to talk to, the caring counselors are available. No one is alone.

What to expect:

• First, a pre-recorded message will describe service provider options.
• Then each call will be connected to a counselor with Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ services, or the local 988 Lifeline contact center. For veterans, the phone will ring until a counselor can answer.
• A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
• The skilled counselor will ask about safety.
• The counselor will listen, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.

We are hosting fentanyl education for the community! Please contact us for more details if you are interested in hosting or connecting for training or presentations!