News : Benton County participates in traffic enforcement project

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office as part of their grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau participated in the March 14th – 17th 2014 sTEP enforcement wave The focus of this project is both public awareness and saturation patrol in an effort to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Iowa roadways.

Through increased awareness and enforcement activities Iowa fatalities for 2013 were at record lows. Unfortunately 2014 has had a profoundly deadly beginning. Excessive speed, impaired driving and occupants being ejected from vehicles are leading contributing factors in Iowa fatalities and serious injury accidents.

Our goal is to reduce serious injuries and fatalities through public awareness and proactive enforcement of the traffic laws. We encourage drivers to obey the speed limit, not to drive while impaired and to wear their seatbelts.

A seatbelt survey this week revealed 99% of front seat occupants were wearing their seatbelts.

Deputies issued (8) traffic citations and (9) traffic warnings, investigated (2) accidents, served (1) arrest warrant and made (2) drug related arrests