By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Humboldt, IA – The state and local law enforcement are encouraging the community to celebrate the holidays responsibly.
The encouragement comes from a press release that state the holiday season is known for celebrations but also known for being the “deadliest season” when it comes to impaired driving. Law enforcement will partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this holiday season to remove impaired drives from the roads to help save lives.
From now until the first of the New Year motorist motorist will see an increased presence of law enforcement.
The report states that statistics prove that there is a lot of work to be done to put an end to drunk driving. According to the NHTSA, 10,511 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2018. On average more than 10,000 people lose their lives from 2014-2018. These stats are why the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau reminds drivers that impaired driving is not only about the law but life and death.
More “sobering statistics” shared by the press release includes 27 percent of 2018 traffic fatalities in Iowa involved alcohol impaired drivers. Between the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods in 2018 there were more drunk-driving related fatalities at 285 than during another other holiday period that year. 85 Iowan lives were lost by drunk driving that year.
Law enforcement remind the public the importance of having a plan when celebrating with alcohol this holiday season. This includes have a designated driver or call for a friend.
The Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center reminds the community the importance of driving sober this Holiday says. Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.