Authorities in Iowa say many agencies will be participating in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from July 3rd to July 7th, 2019. In an effort to combat drunk driving, officers 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.

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. Before you set out to celebrate this holiday weekend make a plan – have a designated driver, call a taxi, or other rideshare service.

Area law enforcement agencies remind you, that it is never okay to drink and drive!