The Washington County Sheriff’s office and the Washington Police Department are asking the public to please drive carefully, and to never drink and drive. Kids are coming back to school, and Labor Day is approaching.  Last Labor Day’s three-day weekend resulted in 10 fatalities in Iowa.  That was the highest Labor Day fatality count since 1995. Four of those 10 fatalities were alcohol related. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that during the 2016 holiday there were 433 crash fatalities nationwide with 36% involving drivers who were drunk. Almost one in five children killed in traffic crashes were killed in drunk-driving crashes and 54% of the time, it was the child’s own driver who was drunk.

To combat end-of-summer alcohol related fatalities law enforcement agencies locally and across the nation will be stepping up enforcement from August 17 – September 3.  They will especially be watching for impaired and unbelted drivers and there will be zero tolerance to noncompliant drivers.

Chief Deputy Shawn Ellingson tells KCII-radio the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Police Department will be increasing traffic control over the next couple weeks to help try and decrease the number of accidents and deaths around Labor Day.  Ellingson adds the department wants everyone to enjoy this time of year, so please drive safe and responsibly.