Mason City, IA – With Halloween approaching, Iowa law enforcement agencies are emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving and the specialized training officers use to detect it.
According to the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) are certified officers trained to identify drug-related impairment through a 12-step evaluation. These steps help determine whether a driver is under the influence of drugs, what category of drug may be involved, or if a medical issue could be the cause.
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office joined the statewide reminder this week, highlighting the importance of these evaluations in keeping roads safe—especially during holidays when impaired driving incidents often increase.
The bureau also announced that a new class of DRE officers recently completed their certification program. Officials say this expansion strengthens Iowa’s ability to identify and respond to impaired drivers more effectively.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for safe transportation during Halloween celebrations and to report suspected impaired driving to local authorities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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