In 2009, there were 118 alcohol related car accident fatalities in Iowa. In Iowa, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence (OWI) of alcoholic beverages or drugs, or some combination of both. More specifically, it is also illegal to drive while having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Any amount of a controlled substance in the drivers blood, like cocaine, will earn an OWI. Finally, any driver under the age of 21 who is tested and found to have a BAC of .02 or higher will have their license revoked 60 days for their first violation, and 90 days for their second.
Iowa also has an implied consent law. This means that every driver, by virtue of having a drivers license, agrees to undergo breath or blood tests to determine BAC and the presence of drugs if the police officer believes the driver is operating their vehicle under the influence. If the test is not agreed to, then they will be arrested and processed as if they were OWI.
In Iowa, a drivers first OWI will earn them a minimum of 48 hours in jail. The maximum jail sentence is 1 year. They will also be fined from $625 to $1,250 and have their license suspended for a period of 180 days. If the drivers BAC was below .10, it is possible to just have their license restricted. This will mean that an ignition interlock device has to be installed in their car. The court can also require a substance abuse evaluation, subsequent treatment, community service, and a drinking drivers course.
DUI / DWI facts and statistics in Iowa
- In 2017, 13 out of the 88 driving fatalities due to DUI / DWI were driven by drivers under the age of 21
- In the same year, 83 out of the 10,082 offenders caught for DUI / DWI were under the age of 18
- In 2018, 14 out of the 85 driving fatalities due to DUI / DWI were driven by drivers under the age of 21
source: responsibility.org, fbi.gov
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