COLUMBUS, Neb. -- The Platte County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday they will have more deputies patrolling in the coming weeks. 

PCSO said that across the state, several law enforcement agencies will be participating in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" impaired driving awareness program. 

The campaign will run from Aug. 16 to Sept. 4, and PCSO said deputies will be working additional hours over weekends, during the evenings, and at special events. 

The primary focus of the deputies and this campaign is alcohol-impaired drivers as well as other traffic violations, said the Sheriff's Office. 

The press release stated that fatalities are down 20% from 2022. Throughout 2022 in Nebraska, 6,325 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. There were 77 fatalities related to alcohol during that time. 

In 2020, there were 76 fatalities and an additional 602 injuries because of accidents that involved alcohol, said the release. 

There is not complete data available for 2021, but the press release said that what is available shows that 30% of all fatalities were alcohol-related as well as 62% of those fatalities weren't wearing seat belts. 

"These two percentages go hand-in-hand and law enforcement must do everything we can to stop these dangerous driving behaviors," said PCSO spokesperson. "During the period we plan to be visible, and if you partake in these dangerous driving behaviors there will be consequences."

Funding for this enforcement effort was made available through a grant by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.