It’s hard to have a happy holiday if you’re arrested for drunk driving and sitting behind bars.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to urge drivers to think twice before drinking and driving. From Friday, Dec. 15 to Monday, Jan. 1, drivers will see officers working on a special high-visibility enforcement campaign to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving.
More parties and festivities celebrating the season bring out more drunk drivers. Preliminary data from 2022 shows 35% of Iowa’s fatal crashes involved an impaired driver.
Last December, almost 1,100 drivers were charged with OWI on Iowa roads and about 25% of those were second or third offenses. Impaired drivers endanger both themselves and others.
The GTSB and law enforcement urge drivers to always plan before heading out to celebrate.
“Drunk driving isn’t just dangerous, it’s illegal,” said Todd Olmstead, Impaired Driving Program administrator for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. “Drivers have a choice: follow the law and respect their fellow drivers by refraining from drunk driving, or make the choice to drive drunk, put others at risk and risk their own mortality. We need every driver to commit to keeping the roads free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe holiday.”
There are many options available to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If available, use your community’s sober ride program. Remember: a few dollars spent on a ride is a lot cheaper than an OWI conviction, which can cost up to $10,000. Plan ahead before you go out for the evening. If you see an impaired driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement.
