With Labor Day weekend upon us, motorists are reminded to drive safe during the holiday, as there will be a greater number of vehicles out on the roads.

With that in mind, local law enforcement has been conducting their latest special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) Wave since mid August. The program is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and it provides extra funding for law enforcement to work overtime hours during the high-traffic holidays. Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn says while officers will be keeping a look out for all kinds of violations, they’re asked to focus on one in particular. “There will be additional officers out there enforcing our traffic laws, especially like seatbelt violations (and) impaired drivers. And one of the other things we’re targeting during this time is distracted drivers, those texting offenses.”

The Perry Police have also been out in force on a few occasions recently, with a purpose of cracking down on the offenses emphasized in the sTEP Wave. Vaughn says it’s not out of the ordinary for local law enforcement to do that type of program when the funds are available. He adds, they may still do one more special enforcement project ahead of Labor Day, where the department will do what he calls a “saturation patrol.” That’s when there will be a lot of officers in a certain area and stopping numerous vehicles for safety and traffic violations.

Vaughn admits the sTEP wave and special project aren’t likely going to make officers too popular, but he feels it’s worth it to get people into better driving habits.