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Law enforcement officers in Nebraska and Iowa have developed a game plan this holiday weekend to stop drunken drivers.
“There's a lot of people that don't realize how much they drink,” Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said. “We want to do everything we can to prevent drunk driving.”
Both states are taking part in the national campaign, “You Drink & Drive. You Lose.”
The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety provided nearly $347,000 in grant funding to 27 police departments, 27 sheriff's offices and the State Patrol to have extra officers on duty.
Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion and Ralston police departments are among the agencies that received funding.
Holiday weekends are typically some of the deadliest times for motorists.
The special enforcement campaign began Aug. 20 and will include checkpoints in the Omaha metropolitan area through Labor Day.
In Iowa, the State Patrol, Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office and Council Bluffs and Glenwood police also were taking part.
In 2009, 79 of the 223 deaths that occurred on Nebraska roads were alcohol-related. In Iowa, 92 of the 372 deaths last year were related to alcohol.
Marty Bilek, Douglas County chief deputy sheriff, said Saturday night there had been no problems reported at area lakes and no need for water rescues.
Contact the writer:
444-3106, jonathon.braden@owh.com
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