Celebrate the Fourth Responsibly

For many, the Fourth of July is synonymous with fireworks, cookouts, and pool parties. Nationwide, traffic fatalities are also becoming synonymous with the Fourth of July. To help prevent these tragedies previously seen around the holiday, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with local law enforcement for a high-visibility enforcement campaign July 3-7.

Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend last year, making it the deadliest Fourth of July weekend in more than a decade. No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure you’re staying safe, and never drive impaired.

“We want people to enjoy the holiday and to celebrate responsibly,” GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes said. “Impaired driving endangers everyone, and our law enforcement partners know how to spot an impaired driver and will not hesitate to pull them over. If you’re going to drink, plan for a sober ride ahead of time.”

Need help finding a ride? Designate a sober driver, schedule a taxi or rideshare, or use your community’s sober ride program.

Through its Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. GTSB is supporting the effort by helping raise awareness. Below is a link to the Fourth of July voucher to share with your community. It’s valid statewide beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m. July 7.

Decide to Ride Voucher

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Source: IDOT *Preliminary Holiday Traffic Fatality Data