Government : Benton County Sheriff's Office to participate in sTEP

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the July 1st – July 7th 2015 sTEP traffic enforcement wave. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2013 for this time period six people died in Iowa crashes with 50% involving an impaired driver. This project is part of a grant from the Governors Traffic Safety Bureau. Sheriff Randy Forsyth received a 2014-2015 grant that provides $4,500.00 for an in-car video camera and $8,000.00 for overtime patrol for a total of $12,500.00. This grant provides deputies the equipment and extra time to focus on traffic safety in Benton County. The grant runs through September 30, 2015.

One of the program goals is to remind the public of the importance of traffic safety. We seek to reduce accidents through proactive enforcement, public education and awareness. We also hope to reduce injuries and deaths by encouraging all vehicle occupants to wear their seatbelts and not to drink and drive under the influence.