TEST 2

Don’t mix green beer and driving this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau are reminding Iowans that driving while impaired is illegal. According to the organizations, over the last few years there has been a dramatic spike in alcohol and drug impaired driving. During the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day holiday there were 59 fatalities nationwide and 37% involved drunk drivers. They advise that the early hours of March 18th are the most dangerous on the roads, as 75% of crash fatalities involved drunk drivers.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will be stepping up traffic enforcement through Sunday the 17th to combat increased impaired driving around the holiday. Officers will especially be watching for drunk or drugged drivers, and anyone not wearing seat belts. If you’re going out to celebrate, have a plan ahead of time for a safe way to get home.