Northwest Iowa — Several northwest Iowa law enforcement departments are participating in a national effort to help stop impaired driving during the holiday season.
The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau tells us that now through January 2nd, 2023, motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement as part of this campaign, which started this Friday (December 16th).
Iowa law enforcement officers across the state and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (or NHTSA) will be removing impaired drivers from the roads and helping to save lives.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Kevin Krull says this season is known for being the deadliest season when it comes to impaired driving.
Krull says that as you head out to holiday festivities, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
He gives us advice on both how to stay safe on the roads and how to keep from meeting a trooper by accident.
For the designated driver, law enforcement officers are asking them to take the role seriously and not partake in alcohol or any other drugs.
Officers remind us that not only can an OWI cost you your license and $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, repairs, and lost time at work, it could also cost you or someone else their life.
Krull says this year hasn’t been a good one for keeping the fatality numbers down.
In addition, Krull reminds holiday travelers that if they see any kind of vehicle pulled over to the side of the road with flashers or emergency lights going — to, at the very least, slow way down — and if it’s possible — to move into the next lane over to give them some room. That’s the law in Iowa. He says when you come upon a situation on the side of the road, you never know what to expect, so it’s best to slow way down to improve your reaction time and move over in case something unexpected happens.
