This is a very busy time of year for law enforcement. Not only does AAA predict this July 4th to be one of the busiest ever on the roadways, but Carroll County’s designation as a High Five County results in increased initiatives. In January, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) put out a list of five counties with the most significant number of fatality accidents involving impaired drivers. Those counties are provided with additional funds for over-time expenses and man hours to help educate and be proactive in prevention. Lieutenant Jon Cretsinger, with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, says they will be working with the Iowa State Patrol on a special enforcement action today (Friday).
The Sheriff’s Office receives statistical data from the DOT. It shows the majority of the 463 accidents in 2017 occurred between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The age group that recorded the highest number of accidents was 25 to 29 year olds, followed by those in the 55 to 59 age range. So far this year, there have been 199 accidents, with most of those between 10 a.m. and noon. The ages, however, have remained the same. Cretsinger says they have already seen a big improvement from last year’s accident numbers.
A new law going into effect on July 1 in the state of Iowa will also be acting as a deterrent to those who take the chance and drive while impaired.
He adds that the state is also looking at adding cameras to ensure that it is not another person breathing into the machine. The plan is to drop off the High Five list next year, and the data to date shows they will likely meet that goal. In upcoming weeks, drivers can expect to see even more enforcement initiatives from authorities with the Carroll County Fair, RAGBRAI and then the Labor Day weekend. The High Five enforcement action will only be one day, but officers will be teaming up again beginning on Sunday for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP). Cretsinger iterates they are just working to keep roads safe.
The most important thing, he says, is that everyone has a fun and safe holiday. More information on the High Five program and advice for drivers can be found on the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, a link to which is included below.
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https://www.facebook.com/carrollcountysheriffsofficeiowa/
