(Undated)– Heavy traffic is expected on roadways this weekend and through the Independence Day Holiday. Iowa State Trooper Kevin Krull says the effort to keep drivers safe includes a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. He says they are partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…
“Law enforcement’s out there. We’re going to be working with the GTSB and National Highway Traffic Safety Program with Driver Sober Get Pulled Over. We’re highly trained in those areas and we’re going to be detecting those drivers that are driving impaired and we’re going to be pulling them off the road and getting them where they need to be, which is off the road.”
Krull says there are many ways to enjoy the holiday and holiday weekend responsibly…
“It’s really as simple as planning ahead. Plan ahead. If you know you’re going to a backyard barbecue at the friend’s place, either have a ride lined up in advance or have a place to stay. I know a lot people will do the economical camping. They’ll all just camp in the neighbor’s back yard or go to the buddy’s back yard and pull the camper or set some tents up and they’ll enjoy their time there and not have to worry about the dangers that are out there on the road or becoming a danger on the road. So make those choices. And there’s plenty of rides programs out there. Everybody has a friend that they can call, that would rather get that phone call saying “I need a ride” versus “I just killed somebody” or that phone call from law enforcement saying your friend is dead.”
Authorities say that in Iowa last year, 57 percent of the July 4th holiday weekend traffic fatalities were alcohol-related. Their motto this year is “Don’t let Independence Day turn into Incarceration Day.”
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon).
