By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Des Moines, IA – State officials reminding Iowans to celebrate the 4th of July responsibly this year.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) is encouraging everyone to celebrate the 4th of July responsibly this year. As the holiday week draws closer encourages Humboldt County and the rest of Iowa to be responsible when it comes to alcohol consumption and driving. They make the statement via a joint press release with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB).
In the most recent statistics from 2018, they share that 193 people lost their lives on Independence Day nationally due to traffic incidents. Of those 193, 78 (or 40%) of these were associated with alcohol-impaired crashes. In 2019, there were 112 vehicle incidents in the state of Iowa, 2 resulting in fatalities and nine in serious injuries.
The IDPS and GTSB remind everyone that impaired driving is no only dangerous but illegal. An operating while impaired arrest can cost up to $10,000. Drivers caught driving while under the influence can also face the loss of their license, car and job. In an effort to combat impaired driving, officers across Iowa will be exhibiting zero tolerance for impaired drivers.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety and Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau alongside the Humboldt Law Enforcement Center remind everyone to be safe and celebrate responsibly this 4th of July.