STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program) is underway

Labor Day isn't until September 3rd, but this year's special traffic enforcement project by state and local law enforcement agencies began Friday.

The STEP is aimed at watching for impaired drivers, as well as for drivers who aren't wearing seatbelts.  The Decorah Police Department says from August 17th through September 3rd there will be "zero tolerance for non-compliant drivers."

Last year, 10 fatalities occurred in traffic accidents in Iowa during the three-day Labor Day weekend.  That was the highest count in the state since 1995.  Four of those ten fatalities were alcohol-related.