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Iowa drunken driving deaths up but license revocations fall

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May 1st, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of drunken driving deaths on Iowa roads has been increasing over the past few years, but the number of driver’s license revocations is down. The Des Moines Register reports there were 123 drunken driving deaths last year. That’s up from 110 the year before and 114 in 2012.

Last year, 13,938 driver’s licenses were revoked for drunken driving in the state. That number has been steadily declining. In 2014, 14,515 licenses were revoked and in 2012, 17,708 licenses were taken.

Officials with the state Transportation Department and law enforcement say the decline is a result of having fewer officers on the road because of budget cuts and fewer arrests. Also, more people may be getting rides home after drinking.