Don’t let weekend celebrations for Independence Day turn dangerous by driving impaired warns the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the Department of Public Safety, Iowa experienced 112 crashes with two fatalities and nine serious injuries last Fourth of July.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states 71% of those who died in alcohol-related crashes were in vehicles with a driver with a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher, about two times the legal limit. The National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs through July 7th and law enforcement agencies across the state are taking part.

Have a designated driver or rideshare service plan in place before starting your celebrations. An OWI arrest can cost up to $10,000.