Iowa Going After Bars to Combat DUI’s

Des Moines, IA – In an effort to combat the rising rate of DUI’s, Iowa’s alcohol-enforcement agency is starting a campaign to reign in bars that over-serve their guests.

According to the Des Moines Register, DUI attorneys have had their hands full with the amount of fatalities due to alcohol-related crashes over the past couple of years. In 2016 alone, 84 people died in drunk driving accidents.

Even more shocking, the Department of Public Safety data revealed that more than 1,100 people have been killed in drunk driving crashes in the state of Iowa. As a result, the state of Iowa has been investigating establishments who have a history of over-serving patrons, along with bars who served people who were later involved in a drunk-driving fatality.

In an effort to reduce the rate of drunk driving, Iowa’s alcohol-enforcement agency plans to evaluate the state’s alcohol licensing laws in order to better manage the establishments that serve alcohol, and to ensure that they do not go overboard when serving their guests alcoholic beverages.

By the end of the year, the businesses of Iowa can expect to see major changes when it comes to alcohol licensing laws, including:

• Deterring businesses from serving alcohol to minors, or over-serving guests, by increasing civil penalties.
• Preventing establishments with a history of not abiding by the alcohol-serving rules from evading consequences by making sure the administrative appeals process is equipped to handle problems in a timely and efficient manner.
• Creating a way to track where intoxicated drivers were before their last drink was served before getting into a drunk driving accident and calling DUI lawyers.

Even though in Iowa it is illegal to serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated customers, very little has been done to make sure the law is followed. In an effort to better make sure the law is enforced, the Alcoholic Beverages Division has appointed not only three investigators, but also three compliance officers to look into businesses that are suspected of violating Iowa’s alcohol-licensing laws.

Along with improving compliance with establishments that serve alcohol, local officials on the case also want to improve relations with Des Moines law enforcement. This will help communication about what is happening regarding drinking driving accidents and DUI’s, and therefore help to better put a stop to what is happening.

When it comes to drinking and driving, the bottom line is that it is just not worth it. However, if you made the mistake of deciding to drive after having one too many, then all is not lost. USAttorneys.com has plenty of DUI attorneys in Des Moines who are here to help you navigate what steps to take next. They will help explain your case to you, make sure you understand what potential charges you could be facing, and help you make a decision on how to best proceed.

In order to make sure you fully understand the ramifications of the DUI charges you face, contact our Des Moines DUI lawyers today.