The latest enhanced enforcement effort from Iowa’s Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force is coming up next week with a special emphasis on all forms of impaired driving. The task force was established in 2021 to address a concerning rise in motorist deaths on Iowa roadways and hopes to address the most common factors that lead to serious crashes: distracted drivers, excessive speed, and impaired drivers. Iowa State Patrol District 4 Public Resource Officer, Shelby McCreedy, says alcohol is the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of impaired driving, but the term covers a broad range of substances. Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
It does not matter if the intoxicant is illegal or prescribed to you by your doctor when it comes to impaired driving. If motor skills are impacted while under the drugs’ effects, it can land drivers in jail. McCreedy says drug OWIs are beginning to outpace alcohol OWIs in some counties.
On Wednesday, April 20, drivers will see an increased presence of state, county, and local law enforcement agencies on the lookout for drivers under the influence. This initiative coincides with the unofficial 4/20 holiday for marijuana enthusiasts, which is one of the drugs that can lead to an OWI charge. McCreedy says the consequences associated with an OWI are extensive.
Again, the upcoming enforcement is planned for Wednesday, April 20 throughout the state. As of April 14, Iowa traffic fatalities had already reached 70 for the year, a 16.67-percent decrease from last year but still above the five-year average.