During the Labor Day holiday, including the end of summertime and the busy Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working alongside the law enforcement community in Ottumwa, Iowa and Wapello County to decrease drug-impaired driving. From August 19th through September 5th, the Ottumwa Police Department and Wapello County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI enforcement period. In support of the Ottumwa Police Department and Wapello County Sheriff’s Office’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in our communities, you’ll see officers and deputies working together to take drug-impaired drivers off the roads.
In 2019, 49% of drivers who were killed in crashes and were tested for drugs, tested positive. This is why it’s so important we spread this lifesaving message: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. It doesn’t matter what term you use — high, stoned, or wasted — no one should get behind the wheel impaired. Think being high won’t affect your driving? You’re wrong. It has been proven that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.
The Ottumwa Police Department and Wapello County Sheriff’s Office want to support our communities by keeping them safe from drug-impaired drivers. The bottom line is that no matter what the substance is, if it has impaired you, you should not be driving. We want everyone to enjoy the last weeks of summer and the Labor Day holiday. Please commit to yourself and your community members that you’ll drive sober each and every day.
Violating Iowa’s drug-impaired-driving laws can be costly. The Ottumwa Police Department, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and NHTSA are reminding citizens of the many resources available to get them home safely. Driving impaired is a choice. Please make the right choice and find a sober ride home if you’ve used an impairing substance. Let’s work together to end impaired driving.
Play It Safe
As end-of-summer and Labor Day festivities occur, remember these safety tips as you prepare for the festivities, and spread the message to your friends and family members:
