It’s the 4th of July holiday weekend and several people may be at social gatherings and other events. With that in mind, law enforcement reminds everyone to not drive impaired.

The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the Jefferson Police Department urge those who might consume alcohol this holiday weekend, to make a plan to get home safely. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2018 over the 4th of July there 193 people that died in a motor vehicle crash and of those, 78 involved alcohol. According to GTSB, last 4th of July, Iowa had 112 crashes where two people died and nine had serious injuries. 

GTSB and the Jefferson Police Department reminds those celebrating with alcohol to plan ahead and have a designated driver or utilize another mode of transportation. Law enforcement will be stepping up their efforts against impaired drivers during this holiday’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) Wave from July 3rd-7th.