HOLIDAY SAFETY: Troopers Step Up Enforcement
According to the National Safety Council, the combination of travel, alcohol, and fireworks makes July the nation’s deadliest month, and the 4th the most dangerous holiday.
The Iowa State Patrol says they’ll have extra troopers out all week to help with extra enforcement.
Although the 4th of July lands in the middle of the week, troopers say they are already seeing people hitting the road early.
“Friday’s traffic is a little heavier than normal but in the Friday afternoon time frame but this is a little heavier than what we’re used to,” says Iowa State Trooper Rob Battles.
Troopers say the 4th tends to be a holiday where they see an increase of travel traffic, leading to more accidents and drunk driving arrests.
“We’re concentration on traffic enforcement, the speed laws, seat belt laws, and of course the impaired drivers,” says Trooper Battles.
The extra troopers out this week will also look for distracted drivers, which they say is becoming more and more of a problem.
This past Memorial Day nine people lost their lives on Iowa road-ways, troopers say they’re hoping this week drivers will slow down and stay focused during their travels.
