Multi-Agency Traffic Safety Checkpoint completed over Memorial Weekend

May 28, 2014

Marshalltown, Iowa - The Marshall County Sheriff's Office and Marshalltown Police participated in a multi-agency traffic safety checkpoint as part of the Memorial weekend Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) wave. 

This past Friday evening from 4:30-8:00PM a safety checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of the 2500-2900 blocks of South Center St (Highway 14) in Marshalltown. This safety checkpoint was designed to increase the safety and awareness of drivers and vehicles on our roadways. Officers pulled every 7th passing vehicle from the traffic flow and directed them into check lanes where officers checked for driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance on the vehicles. At the same time, a second officer checked the vehicles' required safety equipment including headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, tires, wipers, and windshields. This method of taking every 7th vehicle ensures that it is a random and fair sampling of drivers. However, officers in the roadway were also dealing with obvious violations in passing vehicles such as unrestrained children and drivers not wearing their seatbelts. Those vehicles were stopped by other patrol cars working regular traffic patrol in the area. There were several nationally-certified child passenger safety technicians on hand at this event checking child safety seats were being used and properly installed and fitted in vehicles with children. CPS Technicians checked 34 child safety seats in the checkpoint and answered questions and gave advice to several parents.

During this event, 209 vehicles were checked in the inspection lanes. Of these 209 vehicles checked 12 citations were issued as follows: 2-No Driver's License, 2-Suspended or Revoked License, and 10-No Insurance. There were 47 warnings issued as follows: 1-No Driver's License, 7-Expired Registration, 1-DarkWindows, 23-Equipment Violations, and 15-No Insurance.

This checkpoint was staffed by many local and state officers. Agencies participating included Marshall County Sheriff's Office, Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Conservation, Melbourne Police Department, State Center Police Department, and Iowa State Patrol. Attorneys from the Marshall County Attorney's Office were also present. This event was held in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation and Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau. The goal is to ensure safe drivers and vehicles on our roadways as part of the "Toward Zero Fatalities" campaign. Each year hundreds of people die on Iowa roadways. The Toward Zero Fatalities campaign focuses on reducing that number toward "Zero". When asked how many traffic deaths are acceptable in your own family each year-that answer is, of course, "ZERO". And that is a good goal for all of us to strive for. For additional information, contact Marshall County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Officer, Deputy Ben Veren.

About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is headed up by Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus. Sheriff Kamatchus is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.

For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Traffic Safety Officer Ben Veren 64-15
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380
Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us
www.marshallcountysheriff.com

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