Effingham, IL – Illinois State Police District 12 announced enforcement figures for the recent special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (sTEP) wave conducted during the evening hours on Tuesday, May 24^th, 2016 and morning hours of Wednesday, May 25^th, 2016 in Clay and Marion Counties. Authorities issued 31 total citations or arrests and 10 total written warnings, including 8 occupant restraint citations, a DUI arrest, a drug or alcohol related arrest, 17 speeding citations, and 3 speeding written warnings. 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 Traffic Safety.