The Pella Police Department is participating in the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Special Traffic Enforcement Program this week surrounding the Thanksgiving Holiday. Police Officers will have heightened enforcement of drunk and impaired driving violations, and will also be on the lookout for seatbelt violations. The program last through Sunday and the Pella Police Department encourages extra precautions as more drivers will be on the road.

Knoxville Police are also participating in this week’s STEP wave. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, more fatal accidents have occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday in the past decade than any other holiday weekend. In the past two years, 12 people died on Iowa roadways over Thanksgiving, including four involving crashes with impaired drivers. Area law enforcement reminds residents to put down your phone, put on your seat belt, and don’t drink and drive.