Decorah Police Department stepping up enforcement on impaired driving and seat belt use

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer with last minute trips and family celebrations. More traffic leads to the likelihood of more crashes, often as a result of impaired drivers.

Labor Day weekend has become one of the deadliest times of year for drunk-driving fatalities. Over the Labor Day holiday period in 2015 there were seven fatalities on Iowa roads with one involving a drunk driver. In 2016, there were three fatalities and two of the three involved alcohol impaired drivers.

The Decorah Police Department wants everyone to have a safe Labor Day holiday. They are joining forces with law enforcement across the state to step up enforcement on impaired driving and seat belt use from now until September 3rd. The Decorah Police Department would like to remind everyone of the following:

• Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home even if you only plan to have one alcoholic beverage. It is never okay to drink and drive.
• Download the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's SaferRide mobile app.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement agency.
• Take the keys away and make arrangements for friends to get home if they have been drinking and are planning to drive.