Beginning Thursday through Monday, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, Columbia Police Department officers will be participating in the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic safety campaign.

All overtime costs for these additional safety patrols are funded by federal traffic safety grants administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division in an effort to reduce alcohol-related traffic crashes.

Columbia police officers will focus on the Route 3 corridor, where more than 30,000 vehicles pass through the community every day.

“Our officers will focus on speeding, seat belt usage, texting while driving, along with alcohol-related violations to make our roadways safer,” Columbia Deputy Chief of Police Jerry Paul said.