Tess Rowland’s journey to becoming the Community Traffic Safety Initiatives Liaison for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is not just a career move; it’s a testament to her unwavering dedication to making roads safer for everyone.

Recovering in 2021

Her aim is personal, too. On May 4, 2021, she was seriously injured in a head-on collision with a drunken driver’s vehicle while en route to work as a television news reporter in Florida. She underwent seven surgeries and had to relearn basic physical functions. Rather than succumb to despair, Rowland emerged with a purpose: to raise awareness about the dangers of drunken driving and advocate for safer roadways.

As the former national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Rowland’s advocacy work has transcended boundaries, both geographical and emotional. Her tireless efforts have now found a new home in Harris County, where she stands as a beacon of hope for people affected by traffic-related incidents.

Her approach here is multifaceted; She will come together with department personnel and work to bring about new traffic safety measures to help prevent impaired drivers from being on the road while linking together awareness and education throughout communities.

By leveraging her background in media relations and her tenure at MADD, she aims to harness the power of storytelling to connect with victims, survivors, and the broader community.

“I am very honored that Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was able to recruit me and allow me to become a part of the HCSO family,” Rowland said.

“Our agency is moving from a reactive to a proactive approach to road safety. We aim to focus on prevention and education to save lives and avoid crashes. Tess’s dedication to saving lives is admirable and sets an excellent example for the entire agency as we work towards positively impacting our community,” Gonzalez said.

Josh Zuber of AAA, Sheriff Gonzalez, Tess Rowland

Central to Rowland’s mission is bridging the communication gap between law enforcement and the community, particularly young people. She plans to go into schools, using data driven reports in areas that are considered traffic hotspots, and gain insight into the contributing factors behind the crashes.

And by sharing her story and amplifying the voices of others, she seeks to inspire young people to make informed decisions and become advocates for change in their communities.

Rowland invites collaboration and input from the community. She is eager to hear concerns, ideas, and suggestions for improving road safety. Her ultimate goal is to foster a culture of mutual respect and responsibility, where every individual plays a role in preventing traffic-related tragedies.

Harris County is issuing a call to action for community members and organizations to request a traffic safety presentation, workshop or other kind of collaboration with Rowland and the HCSO.

Send an email to Rowland at [email protected], call her work number, 346-802-0118, and/or go online to HarrisCountySO.org (plus @hcsotexas on Instagram) for more information.

— by Raquel Sims