Des Moines, Iowa – Motorists in Iowa can expect a significant increase in law enforcement presence on roadways from August 15 to September 1 as part of a statewide effort to curb impaired driving during the end-of-summer period. The initiative, aligned with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, aims to reduce traffic fatalities linked to alcohol and drug impairment.

According to a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB), the heightened enforcement comes in response to alarming statistics from the previous year. Between August 1 and September 1, 2024, 45 individuals lost their lives in roadway incidents across Iowa, with nearly 30% of those fatalities attributed to impaired driving, based on data from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

“Impaired driving can take many forms, and our law enforcement officers and Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are trained to identify all kinds of impairment,” said DRE State Coordinator Todd Olmstead in the release. “Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, law enforcement can and will identify and stop impaired drivers when they see them.”

The campaign involves collaboration among city, county, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, which operates under the DPS umbrella. Officers will focus on removing impaired drivers and motorcycle riders from the roads, emphasizing that making a plan for a sober ride—such as designating a driver, using rideshare services, or community sober ride programs—can be a lifesaving choice. The public is also encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers to local authorities.

This enforcement period coincides with the Labor Day holiday on September 1, a time when end-of-summer celebrations often lead to increased travel and potential risks on the roads. The GTSB, which administers federally funded grants to support traffic safety strategies, works with various organizations to implement measures aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways.

For more information on the campaign, including graphics and safety resources, visit the NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Marketing website. Media inquiries can be directed to Nicole Hassenstab at the GTSB via email at hassenstab@dps.state.ia.us or by phone at 515-321-7267.

The Iowa DPS, the state’s largest law enforcement agency, encompasses divisions such as the Iowa State Patrol and focuses on core values like leadership, integrity, and protection to ensure public safety.