Manitowoc police will use state grants to target impaired driving and seat belt violations

MANITOWOC – Buckle up and drive sober.

Local law enforcement will use state grant money to help toward a goal of having drivers voluntarily comply with impaired driving and seat belt laws.

Manitowoc Police Department said in a news release Oct. 18 it will participate in state-funded Impaired Driving and Seat Belt Grants between October 2024 and September 2025.

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During this time, the department — in cooperation with Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and Two Rivers Police Department — will deploy extra officers for impaired driving and seat belt enforcement, the news release said.

According to the release, Manitowoc County saw 1,399 vehicle crashes in 2023 with 442 injuries, 35 serious injuries and 14 fatalities. Of those, 129 drivers were impaired during the crashes while 103 were not wearing a seat belt.

The release added: “Officers will be deployed during varying dates and times during the next year, looking for violations and making traffic stops. Officers will be taking a zero-tolerance approach towards impaired driving and seat belt violations.”

Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com , or follow him on X at @breidHTRNews .

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc police will use state grants to target impaired driving and seat belt violations