The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has begun its annual Click-it-or-Ticket drive.

Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Friday that deputies began the traffic safety initiative at 4 p.m. and will target “hotspots” throughout the county. The grant-funded drive will continue through the month of March.

“We’re looking for impaired drivers,” Lambert said. “Of course, we’ll also be looking for other traffic infractions, but our main focus will be those driving under the influence, driving without a license and child restraint violations.”

Lambert said the state and various safety commissions have selected the following areas of concentration in Escambia County:

• Old Castleberry Road;

• U.S. Hwy. 31 between the 72 and 77 mile markers;

• I-65 between the 62 and 67 mile markers;

• Hwy. 21 between the 4 and 9 mile markers; and,

• U.S. Hwy. 29 between the 7 and 12 mile markers.

“We will be working heavily within a five-mile radius of these areas, but that doesn’t mean that a deputy won’t make a traffic stop outside that radius,” Lambert said. “We always hope that drivers operate their vehicles safely; however, during these days, drivers need to pay particular attention in these areas.”

Funding for the initiative is provided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.