Over the weekend, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office released the results of its enhanced traffic enforcement efforts.

Overall, the STEP enforcement detail, conducted on Feb. 27, led to 60 traffic stops resulting in 47 citations, two arrests for driving while license is suspended, one warrant arrest and one criminal arrest for obstructing or resisting arrest.

The traffic enforcement efforts are part of the Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program and aimed at reducing traffic crashes and saving lives. The traffic stops focused primarily on impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt violations and other “dangerous behaviors,” according to the statement issued by the HCSO.

“The goal of this enforcement was to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Chief Deputy Ben Franklin. “By focusing on the leading causes of crashes – such as speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and failure to wear seat belts– we aimed to save lives and remind drivers that violating traffic laws will not be tolerated.”

The STEP grant was funded by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and is part of a statewide effort to improve roadway safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities.