STEP WAVE PROGRAM TARGETS ALCOHOL RELATED FATALITIES

  

According to the US Department of Transportation, alcohol related fatalities have decreased by 23 percent over the past 10 years, but it is still a significant problem.  One in three traffic fatalities involve a driver who had been drinking.  While it is recognized that enforcement is necessary, education is also becoming an important factor.

“The goal of the Texas Department of Transportation’s STEP WAVE program is to educate drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving, and to provide the funding for law enforcement agencies to enforce the DWI laws. We’ve been able to participate in the program this year, and believe the knowledge that we are out in force over holiday periods, like the Fourth of July, does prevent drinking and driving,” said Chief Dant Lange.

“We appreciate the funding we receive from TxDOT to participate in the program. It allows off duty officers the ability to work the enforcement periods, while on duty officers focus on their regular patrol duties. Any time we can take advantage of a program that helps us protect our citizens and visitors, we are happy to do so,” Lange said.

The enforcement period ran from June 26 to July 7, 2015.