As the holidays rapidly approach, the Covington County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind motorists that deputies remain actively watching the roadways for impaired drivers and speeders in an effort to ensure safe holiday travel.

CCSO chief deputy David Anderson said the department is nearing the end of the month-long traffic blitz targeting speeders and impaired drivers, which began Dec. 1 and will end at the first of the year.

“Thus far, we’ve had very good results,” Anderson said. “We’re about halfway through with the initiative and we plan to be out in full force over the coming days during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

“People can expect to see more deputies performing traffic stops where we are targeting traffic infractions such as seat belt violations, child safety restraint violations as well as speeders and those driving under the influence.”

To cover the additional expense associated with overtime for deputies, Anderson said the sheriff’s office was awarded a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which is administered through the Southeast Alabama Regional Traffic and Safety Division.

Anderson said deputies continue to concentrate their efforts on county roads and some state roads.

“With the holiday season, people will be traveling — it’s a given,” he said. “We want to make sure they arrive to their destination safely and without mishap.”

Anderson said residents should be aware there is the possibility to roadblocks and safety checkpoints throughout the county during the coming days.

“Impaired drivers are our No. 1 safety concern,” he said. “Like I said before, an impaired driver behind the wheel is a crash waiting to happen. We, like other law enforcement agencies around the state, are committed to preventing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving alcohol by identifying and removing those impaired drivers from the roadway.”