December 11, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa - The holiday season is a time for togetherness and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB), wants everyone to get home to their loved ones safely. While most Iowans never drive after drinking, impaired driving is a leading cause of deadly crashes with an average of 37% of fatality crashes being impaired-related.
To keep everyone safe on our roads, state and local law enforcement will be conducting extra patrols supporting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) high-visibility enforcement campaign through January 1, 2026, to spread the message about the dangers of impaired driving.
“Drunk driving isn’t just dangerous, it’s illegal,” says GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “We need every driver to commit to keeping the roads free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe holiday season.”
There are many options to get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If available, use your community’s sober ride program. Remember: a few dollars spent on a ride is a lot cheaper than an OWI conviction. Plan ahead so you don’t ruin the celebrations, and if you see an impaired driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement.
Through its Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering $10 Uber vouchers to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. Please share these vouchers with your community to encourage others to make the safe decision this holiday season.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes seven divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state, and federal government agencies and the private sector to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service, and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Professional Development and Support Services Division, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E. 7th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319