The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says that it has joined an enforcement drive aimed at helping to keep drivers and passengers safe. Sheriff Gary Driver says that his department is joining over 230 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana that will have assets aimed specifically at targeting seat belt violators and impaired drivers through the weekend after Thanksgiving. During this time, Sheriff Driver says that you can expect to see increased patrols and checkpoints.

The overtime for officers to participate in this drive is being paid for by funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Sheriff Driver says that the department is publicizing this blitz to give drivers a fair warning that violators will face penalties. In all states, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent of higher. In addition, drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and license suspensions.