Iowa law enforcement agencies are continuing to step up their coverage during the Labor Day holiday.

The special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) Wave ends Monday. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, in 2018 during a five-day Labor Day holiday stretch, there were 439 traffic fatalities nationwide. Last year, there were six traffic fatalities in Iowa during the three-day holiday weekend. District 4 Iowa State Patrol Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy says the theme during the current sTEP Wave is “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” She points out law enforcement is looking specifically for impaired drivers.

“So we are putting additional personnel on the roadways with the sole purpose of taking impaired drivers off the roadway. So just understand if you are going to be on the roadway it’s going to be incredibly important that you wear your seatbelt,  you drive the speed limit, put your phone down, and don’t let any distractions get in the way. And make sure you are driving safely.”

The current sTEP Wave has been in effect since August 21st and runs through September 7th.