As Iowa prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, law enforcement agencies across the state will step up patrols to help keep roads safe during the busy Independence Day holiday.
The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with local law enforcement agencies for a high-visibility impaired driving enforcement campaign running from July 2 through July 6. The effort is aimed at reducing impaired driving crashes and encouraging motorists to make safe transportation plans before celebrating.
According to the GTSB, the Fourth of July holiday remains one of the deadliest travel periods of the year. During the 2025 holiday travel period, from July 3 through July 6, Iowa recorded more than 520 crashes, including eight fatal crashes.
“We want people to enjoy the holiday and celebrate responsibly,” said GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “Impaired driving endangers everyone, and our law enforcement partners will be out looking for impaired drivers and will not hesitate to stop them.”
Officials encourage anyone planning to drink alcohol to arrange a sober ride home by designating a sober driver, using a taxi or rideshare service, or taking advantage of a local sober ride program.
To help encourage safe travel, Doll Distributing is once again supporting the Decide To Ride program by offering a $10 Uber voucher. The voucher will be available statewide from 5 p.m. on July 3 until 2 a.m. on July 6 and is limited to the first 1,000 users.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries through federally funded highway safety programs.
Source: Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau news release; Iowa Department of Transportation Crash Analysis Tool.
