Iowa Law Enforcement will sTEP Up Enforcement This Thanksgiving Holiday

Iowa law enforcement is encouraging drivers and their passengers to buckle up this Thanksgiving holiday.

The effort is part of a one-week enhanced enforcement period, Nov. 19-25, of Iowa’s special Traffic Enforcement Program or sTEP. The sTEP program joins public information efforts with those of the local enforcement communities geared at convincing all motorists of the importance of buckling up. 

During this time, law enforcement will be on the lookout for drivers and passengers not wearing their safety belts. In addition to safety belt violations, officers will also pay close attention to impaired drivers and other moving violations. 

Most of the state’s police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers and DOT officers will participate in the Thanksgiving Holiday effort urging everyone to buckle up.

Patrick Hoye, Bureau Chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau continues to stress the importance of buckling up during the daytime hours and especially at night.

“Seat belts save lives and that is the bottom line," said Hoye. 

During the last August-September sTEP wave, Iowa officers confronted 2,358 seat belt violations, 847 impaired drivers, 13,443 speeding violations, and a total of over 34,335 contacts with traffic violators.  Vehicle assistance was given to 1,980 motorists and 419 arrest warrants were served. 

The next sTEP wave is scheduled for March 14-17, 2013.