No One’s a Good Drunk or High Driver
OWI in Iowa: Understand the Risks and Repercussions of Impaired Driving
On average, 37 percent of traffic deaths in Iowa are related to impairment. Impaired driving includes any kind of driving under the influence, including driving drunk or driving high on recreational or prescription drugs.
Discover what counts as impaired driving and the consequences of an OWI in Iowa — and how you play a role in keeping our roads safe.
If You Drink, Don’t Drive. Be a Smart Driver and Call For a Ride.
It seems logical: if you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. But not everyone understands. People often decide to drive home because it’s not that far. They think, “What’s is the worst that can happen? I get pulled over? My insurance goes up? I lose my license? Or total my car?”
Or…you kill could kill someone — including yourself. In the U.S., a person is killed about every 50 minutes in a drunk driving crash. In fact, among drivers involved in fatal crashes on weekends, 30 percent are alcohol impaired. Don’t let that be you. Call for a ride.
Help Impaired Drivers Make the Right Choice
Some people don’t get it. They drink recklessly and still get behind the wheel. They stop by for a couple beers with friends but end up getting smashed. Help us encourage others to make the right decision. Designate a driver before drinking is involved. Or call for a rideshare or a friend for someone who shouldn’t drive — for their lives and the lives of others.
Don’t become a statistic. Be a smart driver; your decision could save your life.
When and Where Impaired Crashes Occur
- Most impaired driving crashes in Iowa happen late at night to early morning, especially on weekends.
- According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the proportion of alcohol-impaired drivers was highest for motorcyclists.
- The most common demographic involved are young adults (often male) ages 21-35.
The True Cost of an OWI: Beyond the Fine
Offenders may face fines up to $10,000, legal fees and significantly increased car insurance premiums. Non-monetary consequences include loss of driving privileges, potential jail time, mandatory alcohol education classes and a lasting impact on your personal and professional life. These penalties are tough but necessary to discourage irresponsible driving.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Calculator
While the safest approach is to avoid driving if you’ve been drinking, our BAC calculator will help you understand how alcohol is likely to affect you.
Enter the number of drinks you’ve had, the amount of time you consumed them in and your weight to estimate your BAC.
Blood-Alcohol Level Calculator
This sliding scale calculator shows how quickly alcohol impairs your ability to drive. Know when to say when before you cross the line. Literally.
Based on these calculations, your blood-alcohol level is approximately:
0.000
This calculator is only a guide. Many factors can impact your BAC. They include, but are not limited to, the following: age, gender, body type, fat/muscle content, diabetes, medications, emotional state, food intake, carbonation, rate of consumption, drink strength, and alcohol intolerance.
Understanding how alcohol affects your ability to drive is crucial. The table below explains the effects of different BAC levels on your driving abilities:
BAC Level
Effects on Driving Ability
0.02%
Some loss of judgment, decline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target), decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention)
0.05%
Impaired judgment, may have loss of small-muscle control (e.g., focusing your eyes), reduced coordination and ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering, reduced response to emergency driving situations
0.08%
and above
Muscle coordination becomes poor (e.g., balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing); speed control; harder to detect danger; reduced information processing capability (e.g., signal detection, visual search); judgment, self-control, reasoning, and memory are impaired. Legally impaired.
Impaired Driving FAQs
No, it’s the amount of alcohol you consume over time that affects your BAC, not the type of alcohol. Whether it’s beer, wine, or spirits, what matters is the total alcohol content consumed.
Several factors affect your BAC including body weight, alcohol tolerance, metabolism rate, food intake, and the amount and type of alcohol consumed.
While the safest approach is to avoid driving if you’ve been drinking, our BAC calculator will help you get an idea of how alcohol is likely to affect you. It considers your weight, number of drinks you consume and the time frame you consume them in. You can find it here.
As BAC increases, so does impairment. This includes slower reflexes, reduced ability to make judgments and decisions, and decreased motor coordination, all of which increase the risk of accidents.
In Iowa, the term OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) is used instead of DUI (Driving Under the Influence). Both terms describe the offense of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Penalties for an OWI in Iowa include fines, possible jail time, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, and other consequences depending on the severity and whether it’s a repeat offense.
To get your license back, you’ll likely need to complete a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, satisfy any court requirements, pay a reinstatement fee, and possibly install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
An OWI conviction typically leads to higher insurance premiums. Some insurers may even deny coverage. It is considered a high-risk behavior.
Apply for a Traffic Safety Grant
Help make Iowa roads safer by applying for a traffic safety grant to install new signage in your community. These signs remind drivers to slow down and stay alert, supporting our goal towards zero deaths. Be a smart driver, contribute to safer roads.
Information for Offenders of Iowa’s OWI Law
If you or someone you know is facing an OWI charge, it’s important to understand the legal process and available resources. For comprehensive guidance and support, visit the Iowa Government website on OWI law