As Labor Day signals the end of summer for many, Iowa’s roadways are anticipating heavier traffic through the weekend. To keep drivers and pedestrians safe this time of year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with local law enforcement are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign.

The campaign officially kicked off in the middle of August, however an increased emphasis is placed on Labor Day weekend. During the 2021 holiday period, 531 crash fatalities were reported nationwide, with more than 25 percent involving impaired drivers.

Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee, spoke with KCII about his department’s mission heading into the weekend. “It’s mainly focused on impaired driving but it’s kind of a general enforcement project as well. We’re just going to be out pounding the pavement a little bit trying to make a little bit of a difference and go into the end of summer or the early fall saying let’s keep each other safe and see what we can do for our motoring public.”

Anyone planning on celebrating this Labor Day weekend is urged to designate a sober driver if alcohol is involved. For more information on impaired driving, click here.