The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with local law enforcement officials, want everyone to get home safely. The high-visibility campaign will see more police presence on Iowa roadways through January 1. 

Holiday parties and festivities this time of year tend to bring out more drunk drivers. Impaired driving is a leading cause of deadly crashes with an average of 37% of fatality crashes being impaired-related.  

Police Chief Jim Lester with the Washington Police Department echoed the message of this campaign to KCII, encouraging Iowans to have a plan. “December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and with the holidays, we have a lot of celebrating, and December is usually one of the deadliest months for impaired driving. We take part in the Governors Traffic Safety Bureau heightened patrols. Especially during the holidays we will have extra officers out watching for impaired drivers, seatbelt violations, speeding, and come the first of the year, the distracted driving, the hands free law.”

Local law enforcement will be conducting extra patrols throughout the enforcement campaign. As a reminder, all drivers and passengers should wear a seatbelt during their holiday travels.