BRENHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN PARTICIPATE IN STEP WAVE PROGRAM

  

Underage drinking presents an enormous public health issue. Alcohol is the drug of choice among children and adolescents. Annually, about 5,000 youth under age 21 die from motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, and homicides and suicides that involve underage drinking.

In 2014, there were 24,175 impaired-driving traffic crashes in Texas that resulted in 2,292 serious injuries and 969 deaths. Of those crashes, 54 percent involved drivers under the influence of alcohol in the age group of 17-34.

With Spring Break just around the corner, the Brenham Police Department is joining with other law enforcement and government agencies urging all drivers – but particularly young ones – to be mindful of the effects of drinking and driving.

“The Brenham Police Department will be participating in a STEP Wave program sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT provides grant funding to law enforcement agencies so officers can work overtime during specific periods of time – waves – to prevent and reduce fatal and serious injury car crashes due to impaired driving. This program is very close to our hearts as it really focuses on our young drivers. We want them to have a good time during Spring Break, but be safe as well,” said Chief Rex Phelps.

The program provides federal money to fund overtime for officers to work during times set by TxDot. The focus on the holidays is a direct response to the increase of alcohol related accidents during those times. There are four specified wave periods in the grant. This is the second one, and is enforced from March7 through March 22, 2015.

“This program is not just about enforcement – it’s also about education. The more we can get the word out about the dangers of driving while impaired, the better it is for everyone. We prefer education over enforcement, but we will definitely carry out both the mandates of the grant, and the law,” Phelps said.

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Sgt. Kelvin Raven, Cpl. Chris Jackson participated in presenting the STEP Wave Program at Brenham High School. Part of the presentation included information on the Wave program and not drinking and driving. The entire presentation focused on choosing the right path and making good choices.

 

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