Many Iowans will be hitting the road over the Labor Day weekend and they’re being reminded to buckle up, obey the speed limit and play it safe. Randy Hunefeld with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau says the last holiday weekend of the summer can be a dangerous one on Iowa’s roads because too many people are driving drunk.
Last year, there were four traffic fatalities in Iowa over the Labor Day weekend. “Two of those were alcohol related,” Hunefeld said. “Even though our (fatality) numbers are good, unless we have zero, they’re not good enough.” Hunefeld is coordinator of bureau’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP).
The agency is conducting a sTEP wave that started August 23 and run through next Wednesday. Hunefeld warns that the heightened enforcement effort means motorists will have a better chance of getting caught if they’re breaking traffic laws. “The most important thing is be cautious of other drivers, make sure you’re buckled up and driving the speed limit,” Hunefeld said.
“And if you do decide to go out drinking over the Labor Day weekend, be responsible, because there will be plenty of law enforcement officers out looking for ya.” During Iowa’s last sTEP project, over the July 4 holiday, law officers made contact with more than 15,600 motorists. That included 295 contacts with alcohol and drug-impaired drivers.