Law enforcement agencies across Iowa, including the Jefferson police department, will participate in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign July 3-7. In an effort to combat impaired driving, officers will show zero tolerance for impaired drivers.
“The last few months have brought incredible challenges for our communities. As our nation begins to reopen, many Americans will be eager to celebrate the Fourth of July with family and friends. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) and the Jefferson police department want to remind drivers to not let the celebration turn dangerous by driving impaired,” a press release stated.
Nationally, during the 2018 July 4th holiday period (the most recent statistics available), 193 people died in motor vehicle crashes and 78 of those fatalities occurred in an alcohol-impaired crash. On the Fourth of July in 2018 in Iowa, one person lost their life due to an alcohol-related crash. On July 4, 2019, there were 112 crashes in Iowa which involved two fatalities and nine serious injuries.
Impaired driving is not only dangerous, but illegal, and it puts everyone on the road in jeopardy. There is also a financial cost to driving impaired. An OWI arrest can cost up to $10,000, and a driver can lose his license, his car, and his job.
