March 14-17 sTEP enforcement will focus on watching speed and slowing down to save lives

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is reminding the motoring public that speed can be a driver's worst enemy not only during the cold weather months but throughout the year. Statistics show that far too often the driver who is hurrying to get to work, going to the grocery store or traveling to an out-of-town destination can’t react fast enough to a situation and a crash occurs. It can be one of the most deadly mistakes a driver can make.
As part of the 2014 sTEP program, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is teaming up with city, county and state law enforcement officers who will be out in force March 14-17 looking to crack down on those motorists who aren’t buckled up, or who are speeding or operating while intoxicated. Remember to Buckle Up and Arrive Alive! and Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk!
The traffic enforcement event held last year during the four days of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday had 205 agencies reporting 352 OWIs, 5,154 speed and 2,393 seat belt violations, with almost 17,000 combined total traffic violations.
Locally, the Allamakee County Sheriff's Office and the Waukon Police Department will be participating in this sTEP wave in an effort to increase motor vehicle safety during the St. Patrick's Day weekend.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau continues to stress to the motoring public the importance of buckling up, slowing down and driving sober to increase the odds of preventing or, at least, surviving a crash. The next sTEP enforcement event will be May 19-June 1.
For additional information, go to www.iowagtsb.org or www.nhtsa.dot.gov or contact Randy Hunefeld, sTEP Coordinator, Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau at 215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0248; 515-725-6124; 515-447-8041 or at hunefeld@dps.state.ia.us.