DES MOINES — Last year during the final weeks of summer (August 1-Sept. 4), 40 traffic fatalities were recorded in Iowa. Iowa State Patrol (ISP) Tropper Bob Conrad notes 30% of those fatalities were alcohol and/or drug related, according to the Iowa Dept. of Transportation’s Preliminary Holiday Traffic Fatality Data.
“To prevent future tragedies the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement to decrease impaired driving,” said Conrad. “From August 18 through Sept. 4, agencies across the state will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement project.” Conrad added officers from different agencies will be working together to take drunk or drugged drivers off the road.
“We want drivers to understand it’s law enforcement’s first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead,” said GTSB’s Law Enforcement Liaison, Randy Kunert. “The Drive Sober campaign is an awareness effort to spread the message that impaired driving is illegal, and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior.”
Trooper Conrad noted 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. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of summer, make sure you plan to do it safely.”
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.