Area And State Law Enforcement Agencies Set To “sTEP” Up Enforcement

Date posted - August 20, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa — The Labor Day weekend is fast approaching, so several northwest Iowa law enforcement agencies are advising KIWA news that they will again be participating in a period of stepped-up enforcement of highway laws.

Together with agencies across the nation, Iowa’s law enforcement officers will participate in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP), an initiative of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Officials from city, county and state law enforcement agencies plan heightened enforcement on Iowa roads from August 23rd through September 5th.

The enforcement project focuses on getting the motoring public to buckle up, saving lives, and reducing serious injuries. During this sTEP project officers will further focus their attention on removing drunk and impaired drivers from the roadways. A simple mistake by a drunk driver can have costly results, according to Randy Hunefeld, sTEP Coordinator with the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. He says they encourage anyone planning on drinking alcohol this holiday to be responsible and designate a sober driver. With increased patrols and focused enforcement across Iowa, the odds of a drunk driver getting arrested greatly increase.

During the latest sTEP project over the July 4th holiday, participating agencies reported 295 contacts with alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, 1,172 safety belt violations, 4,660 speeding violations, 274 stop sign and traffic signal violations and a total of over 15,000 enforcement contacts. Officers assisted over 1000 motorists, apprehended 213 wanted persons, and executed 73 felony and 152 narcotics arrests during that period. The next sTEP project is scheduled for the Thanksgiving holiday period — November 19-25, 2012.

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