A DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panel is a small group of 2-4 persons who speak briefly about a vehicle crash caused by an impaired or intoxicated driver in which they were injured or in which a friend or family member was injured or killed. Persons who have been charged with DUI/DWI criminal offenses are often required to attend a Victim Impact Panel to better understand and remember the devastating consequences of driving while impaired or intoxicated.

Victims who speak at Victim Impact Panels do not blame or judge the people listening and only seek to share their own tragic stories in a way that may help others understand the lasting effects of impaired driving—while giving the speakers the opportunity to heal and find some small amount of meaning in their tragedies.

Victim Impact Panels are available both live and online and are sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

In Iowa, DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panels are part of the educational and rehabilitative measures used in the legal system to address the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These panels are designed to provide offenders with firsthand accounts of the trauma and long-term suffering that impaired driving can inflict on victims and their families. While Iowa law does not specifically mandate attendance at a Victim Impact Panel for all DUI/DWI offenders, judges often include it as a condition of probation or as part of a plea agreement. The goal is to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness in the offender, potentially reducing the likelihood of future offenses. The panels are facilitated by organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and can be attended in person or online, depending on the options available. Participation in a Victim Impact Panel is typically just one component of a broader DUI/DWI sentence, which may also include fines, jail time, community service, and substance abuse treatment programs.