If you haven’t already noticed, law enforcement has been stepping up their focus on impaired drivers lately. That’s because the latest Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) Wave is now in effect.

The Jefferson Police Department reminds everyone that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” This time of year is when families try to get those last minute summer trips in and there are several end-of-summer parties happening through the Labor Day holiday. Last year during the three-day Labor Day weekend, there were ten fatalities in Iowa, four of which were alcohol-related. That was the highest amount of fatalities for Labor Day since 1995.

The Jefferson Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies are participating in the current sTEP Wave from now through September 3rd. They will be especially focused on impaired and unbelted drivers during that time.