Local law enforcement works overtime to crack down on drunken driving
August 13, 2008

Now through Labor Day, law enforcement is increasing its efforts to crack down on drunk driving.

Mount Vernon Police Chief Mark Winder said his team will be working overtime in the effort, through the governor's special traffic enforcement program.

Today (Thursday, Aug. 14) the state kicked off a "Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign.

"Special projects such as this initiative allow law enforcement to combine and concentrate our efforts on identifying trouble areas such as speeding, lack of seatbelt use and drunk or drugged driving," said Col. Patrick Hoye of the Iowa State Patrol.

Last year, 17,000 Americans lost their lives in crashes involving drunk or drug-impaired drivers; crashes involving impaired drivers resulted in the deaths of 111 people in Iowa in 2007. The State Patrol reports that impaired driving is the second leading cause of death in Iowa crashes, second to the non-use of safety belts. Last year, more than 1,700 people were injured in Iowa crashes involving drunk and drugged drivers. Those under 25 years old account for only 16 percent of Iowa's drivers, but are nearly 30 percent of the impaired drivers in fatal and injury crashes. Each year, more than 18,000 Iowa drivers have their licenses revoked for OWI violations.