In 2011, 11,889 individuals were arrested for violating DUI Laws in the State of Iowa, and there were 82 fatal alcohol-impaired crashes. That’s 2.7 preventable, driving under the influence-related fatalities for every 100,000 people.
Over the past decade, the number of DUI fatalities has dropped by 31.7%, and it’s due to lawmakers enforcing strict DUI Laws in the State of Iowa. As one of the many states with implied consent laws in effect, individuals suspected of driving under the influence in Iowa must agree to have a blood alcohol, breath, or urine test performed to determine the amount of alcohol or drugs in their system. If the person refuses, the officer may deem them as operating under the influence, and they could lose their license immediately for up to 2 years.
The use of ignition interlocks has also played a big part in the drop of Iowa DUI crashes. First offenders in Iowa who have a blood alcohol level of .10 and over or were involved in a DUI crash are required to install an ignition interlock device as a condition for receiving a temporary driver’s license. If it was a second offense, the individual may apply for a temporary license after 45 days, but they must install an ignition interlock and keep it for one year. In addition, any individual convicted of a 3rd offense or who was involved in any level of offense that caused personal injury may re-apply for a temporary license after one year but they must install ignition interlocks on all vehicles to which they have access.
For more information on DUI laws in Iowa, visit http://www.lifesafer.com/iowa/.
When warm weather arrives, it’s time to open the doors and windows of our homes to let the fresh air in. Highways are much the same, and spring and summer are when you’ll see motorcyclists revving up their engines and hitting the great open road again. Both motorists and motorcyclists alike need to learn to share the road again and keep an eye out for each other, and that’s why May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
May 1st signals a new beginning in Nova Scotia as lawmakers introduce even stiffer consequences for drinking and driving. The Province already ranks among the strictest in Canada when it comes to DUI offenses, and now the safety of children is at the forefront of lawmaker’s minds.
May 14th, 1988 will go down in history as the first time many people in the USA really took a good, long look at the consequences of drunk driving accidents. As a bus load of children and a few adults cruised down Highway 1-71 in Radcliff, Kentucky after a fun day at a local amusement park, a drunk driver in a pickup truck was driving on the wrong side of the road and heading straight for them. The impact of the crash caused the front door to jam, and as the occupants were rushing to the back door of the bus to get out, it burst into flames.
Loopholes are tightening and restrictions are ready to come down on first time DUI offenders in New Jersey. Legislation was reintroduced earlier this year to improve and expand upon New Jersey’s driving under the influence laws by requiring ignition interlock installation mandatory for any and all drivers who receive a drunk driving conviction or who disobey the law by refusing a breathalyzer test.
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t worry about our children when they were at school. We’d able to send them off for the day on the local school bus and know they were safe, sound, and happy. Unfortunately, the reality of life is far different. That’s why several New York State Senators are proposing a bill to stop impaired driving through the installation of ignition interlocks on school buses.
With so many cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles on the road, it’s easy to forget about the other drivers who share the side roads and highways. Bicyclists are actually considered vehicles on the road just like cars and trucks, and they deserve the same consideration and mutual respect you’d give to any passing driver. To grow awareness for bicycle safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA have teamed up and designated May as Bicycle Safety Month.
Maybe you saw a story in the news or read about it in the newspaper, or maybe you actually know someone who was forced to endure one of the most horrific circumstances you can encounter in life – The loss of a child. Although the idea of losing a child to any circumstance is unimaginable, what makes the loss of children killed in DUI crashes even more horrific is that it could have been prevented.
It’s been proven time and again that ignition interlock devices work to stop drinking drivers before they can get behind the wheel, but ignition interlock devices (IIDs) don’t just reduce recidivism rates for chronic re-offenders – 
The month of May might make you think of spring flowers and an end to what has felt like a really long winter, but it also signals a special day each year when the margaritas flow and Mexican celebrations hit high gear. Cinco de Mayo is on May 5th, and although it’s a wonderful day to kick back and have fun, it’s also a great time to plan ahead and choose a designated driver.