On your way to the Iowa State “Fair Sweet Fair,” don’t you get the feels of going home? Like the Motley Crue 80s ballad, “Home Sweet Home,” we long for our familiar comforts – the buzz of the Grand Concourse, fried anything on a stick, walking miles of buildings and booths collecting tons of free stuff, and catching the birds-eye view from the Sky Glider.
But you could miss it all if you’re driving there impaired.
Driving under the influence is far more than driving drunk. You can’t drive safely if you’re impaired by any substance – legal or illegal. Making smarter choices before you get behind the wheel means knowing the conditions that can impact your driving performance:
Impaired Driving
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can impact coordination and reaction times, with legal limits like a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 g/dL representing impairment levels.
- Drugs: Both prescription and illegal drugs can impair a driver's skills. Some drugs, like cocaine and methamphetamine, can lead to aggressive behavior, while others, such as opioids, can cause extreme drowsiness.
- Fatigue: Drowsiness is dangerous and similar to the effects of alcohol or drugs.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions and prescribed medicines may recommend that you not operate a vehicle.
If you make it to the fair, stop and see us at the Iowa DOT Booth 762-764 – it rocks! But don’t let your trip turn into a dead end because you’re impaired. Get there and back home sober.
In 2025, in Iowa, 156 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of eight since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 356 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report.