Northwest Iowa — Local, state, and county law enforcement organizations are advising us that they will be out in force before, during, and after the fourth of July holiday, to keep travelers safe.
We heard last week from the Iowa State Patrol about their plans for the holiday. Other law enforcement agencies are also chiming in.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says that they are joining the effort put on by the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. In an effort to combat drunk driving, they say their deputies will be exhibiting zero tolerance for impaired drivers.
Nationally, during the 2017 July 4th holiday period (the most recent statistics available) 601 people died in motor vehicle crashes, or, an average of 134 per day. During that same time there were four fatalities on Iowa roads. That is certainly nothing to celebrate.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 60 percent of those who died in alcohol-related crashes were in vehicles involving a driver with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .15 or higher, almost two times the legal limit of .08. Law enforcement agencies across Iowa will be participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign from July 3 to July 7, 2019.
They tell us that besides the possibility of serious injury and death to the impaired driver, he or she is endangering the lives of anyone else in their vehicle, or anyone that they may encounter on the road. There is also a financial aspect of driving impaired. An OWI arrest can cost up to $10,000. You could lose your license, your car, and your job. You could serve jail time. Deputies say that before you set out to celebrate this holiday weekend, they suggest you make a plan – have a designated driver, call a taxi, or another rideshare service.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau reminds you that it is never okay to drink and drive.
Meanwhile, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is telling us they will concentrate on traffic enforcement and providing safety to their communities this upcoming 4th of July holiday.
According to Captain Jamie Van Voorst, “The Sheriff’s Office has always focused on Sioux County traffic enforcement. We believe it has resulted in the lowering of our traffic fatalities and generated safer travel within our county. We will particularly be watching for distracted drivers, alcohol and drug use as well as speeding violations.”
