Crime & Safety
Police To Watch For Holiday Weekend Traffic Violations
The special traffic enforcement effort will focus on seatbelt violations and drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
WEST DES MOINES, IA — Officers from the West Des Moines Police Department in conjunction with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, will conduct high visibility traffic enforcement throughout the holiday weekend in an effort to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths on Iowa roadways.
The special traffic enforcement program (STEP) will consist of heightened traffic enforcement for all traffic violations, with the main effort to raise awareness in safety belt use and to identify individuals who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The effort will continue through Jan. 1.
The increased traffic enforcement is intended to serve as a reminder for drivers to obey all traffic laws and to help keep Iowa roadways safe, West Des Moines police said in a news release. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent.
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In Iowa, alcohol is second only to excessive speed as a contributing factor in overall traffic crashes.
Image via City of West Des Moines
Find out what's happening in West Des Moinesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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