City of Sioux Center issued the following announcement on Dec. 11.
The Sioux Center Police Department is participating in a national effort to help stop impaired driving during the holiday season.
From December 18, 2020 to January 1, 2021, motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement as part of this campaign. The Sioux Center police are joining Iowa law enforcement across the state and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this holiday season to remove impaired drivers from the roads and help save lives.
“This season is known for being the deadliest season when it comes to impaired driving,” said Sioux Center Police Chief Mike Halma. “Impaired driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to holiday festivities, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
According to NHTSA, 10,511 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2018. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2014 to 2018 — one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 50 minutes in 2018.
The Sioux Center Police urge residents to plan ahead for a sober driver to take them home or call a friend for a ride. For the designated driver, law enforcement officers are asking them to take the role seriously and do not partake in alcohol or any other drugs.
- 2018 traffic fatalities in Iowa, 27% involved alcohol-impaired driving. Don’t put your loved ones at risk this holiday season.
- According to NHTSA, 839 people lost their lives in the U.S. in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December 2018.
- An OWI can cost you $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, repairs, and lost time at work.
- In 2018, 85 lives were taken by alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in Iowa. Don’t be the reason someone doesn’t get home this holiday season.
Source: City of Sioux Center
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