CARMI, IL – Illinois State Police District 19 announced enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrol (sTEP) conducted on Sunday, November 22nd in Wayne County. Authorities issued 51 total citations or arrests and 5 total written warnings including 5 occupant restraint citations, 43 speeding citations, and 2 speeding written warnings. There were no DUI or drug or alcohol related arrests during this patrol. Slowing down and observing the speed limit not only saves lives, but also saves on gas. Additionally, safety belts are proven to be the most effective safety devices in vehicles today and are estimated to save over 12,000 lives each year. The sTEP program involves a combination of increased enforcement and community education designed to raise public awareness and compliance with all traffic laws. A special emphasis was placed on speeding, failure to wear a safety belt, DUI, and other alcohol-related offenses in areas that experience the highest level of traffic problems. This project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Safety.