With the holiday season going through the end of the month, Iowa State Patrol and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) reminds motorists that a special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) is continuing.

According to GTSB, several law enforcement agencies have had and are continuing to have an increased presence on the roadways now through November 30th and are focusing efforts on making sure seat belts are worn when traveling in a vehicle. The GTSB says last Thanksgiving week, there were 17 fatal or serious injuries, including five where people were not wearing their seat belts. 

GTSB also mentions that there are additional efforts to ensure that drivers are not using electronic devices while operating a vehicle and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, where those who are considering getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, should find an alternative method to get home safely.