Local law enforcement agencies are reporting some pretty big numbers following a two-week enforcement action that spanned the Labor Day holiday. During these routine Governor’s Safety Traffic Bureau Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) initiatives, there is an increased presence of law enforcement on Iowa’s roadways to educate about and enforce driving laws. This wave focused on impaired driving, seatbelt usage and texting laws. In total, the Carroll and Jefferson Police Departments and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office issued a combined 220 citations. This included seven for drivers who were found to be operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, 93 speeding tickets and 14 tickets for violations of Iowa’s texting law. The Carroll PD issued a total of 109 citations and 150 warnings. Included in these were 23 tickets each for seat belt violations and speeding as well as 40 speed warnings and 42 equipment warnings. They conducted three motorist assists and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office helped out four motorists in need of help. The Sheriff’s Office also issued 63 speeding tickets and 80 speed warnings, nine tickets for those driving on suspended or revoked licenses and 11 equipment warnings. The Jefferson PD handed out many more warnings than citations at 157 and 21 respectively. Speeding was the most frequent violation with seven tickets and 34 warnings, followed by 29 registration violation warnings and 26 equipment warnings. Participating law enforcement agencies are provided grant dollars through this program to help pay for overtime costs during the enforcement as well as to offset some of their traffic enforcement expenses. The Labor Day sTEP is the last one identified for 2019 by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau.
