DES MOINES – From late-August through Labor Day, city, county and state police will be out in force as part of the annual nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk driving. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Iowa, will run from August 26 through September 8, 2013.
The effective nationwide drunk driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb drunk driving in August and through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Iowa ranks 2nd as having the lowest number of alcohol related fatalities in the nation.
While it is illegal to drive drunk (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher) in all 50 states, far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.
“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more drunk drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Colonel David Garrison – Chief of the Iowa State Patrol. “In 2011 9,878 people died across the nation in crashes involving drunk drivers. That is approximately one drunken driving fatality every 53 minutes.” During last year’s Labor Day Holiday, there were no reported alcohol related fatalities, however there were 4 fatalities.
“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign reduces drunken driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Iowa’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period,” said Colonel Garrison.
“Driving drunk is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ said Colonel Garrison.
Interesting comments on how bad the penaltys are for drunk driving. I have a simple solution. Just don’t drive drunk, then you would have nothing to worry about. And please don’t say its ok to have a few and get behind the wheel. If you are going out to drink that’s fine with me…just make plans to get home safe, and there are a lot of options there. Knowing the penaltys why would you take the chance?
And if think its still ok to drive with just some impairment, talk to someone whos child, spouse, friend, relative, or family member has been killed or injured by a drunk driver….I guarantee you will feel differently on this subject.
LVS – Why is it that every time you get put in a corner on a question the question suddenly, in your words, has “NoValue”? Is it because you think you are never wrong? Just wondering.
@LVS – You state that you hope the cops catch all the pot head and druggers, too. Yet on Aug. 21, 2013 @2:00pm in a post to “Branstad’s trooper-driver skips court, is convicted” you stated that
“I see cops breaking the law all the time.” So I guess I need clarification on this. You see cops breaking the law all the time, and you must approve since you don’t mention calling other law enforcement on them, yet you want the pot head and druggers caught. Do I correctly understand that you feel it’s all right for the cops to break the law? Please respond. I find this fascinating.
Always love these stories that talk about government “cracking down on citizens”
The law enforcement is so over the top in Cerro Gordo county. They have ruined ALL small town festivals with over the top enforcement! Stopping people for no reason, sitting outside, hell, walking through bars to see who they can follow home. Last year 22 police, patrol, sherrif, etc at the Rockwell street dance for a couple hundred people.
Last week during Rock Falls fun days, parking in front of the bar, basically blocking people from going in to watch the band after the owner had paid hundreds of dollars to get them.
22 cops at a street dance? Do you think we have a few TOO MANY government employees?
I certainly hope they catch all the pot head and druggers too. As soon as I find out who Steal Panther is I intend to turn him in to the authority’s. He/ she is an admitted felon driving high every day and endangering innocent people in the process.