With St. Patrick’s Day weekend upon us, the New Hampton Police Department, plus Chickasaw and Floyd County Sheriff’s Offices are among the local law agencies partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) for the “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) across Iowa, on now through March 21st.
Along with the Iowa State Patrol, officers will be stepping up traffic enforcement, with special emphasis on impaired driving, seatbelt and speeding violations, along with texting while driving violations.
The GTSB says St. Patrick’s Day is one of our nation’s most popular holidays, celebrated with festivals, parades, and parties. These celebrations frequently feature themed cocktails and green pints; with the amount of alcohol consumed higher than average. As a result, people are more likely to make poor decisions, including driving while intoxicated.
GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes says, “Don’t turn a day of fun into a tragic and devastating time by driving while intoxicated. It’s vital to plan ahead. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a rideshare service. Our law enforcement partners will be looking for impaired drivers.”
Last March, 26 people died in traffic crashes on Iowa roads; 38% of those involved impairment.
