Photo: Iowa State Patrol Colonel, Nathan Fulk, presents details about unprecedented dangerous driving behaviors witnessed by the Patrol over the past year at a press conference Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday, the Iowa Traffic Fatality Reduction Task Force urged Iowans to do their part in reducing fatalities on the state’s roadways. Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), Scott Marler, says May of 2021 was the deadliest in nine years.
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Even with reduced traffic volumes during the pandemic, there was an uptick in fatal accidents. And historically, summer is when traffic-related deaths rise.
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Colonel Nathan Fulk with the Iowa State Patrol, says most accidents are preventable and he identified this year’s goal.
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Over the past year, troopers have witnessed some of the most dangerous driving in the Patrol’s 85-year history.
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Speed and impaired driving are two of the top contributors.
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Agencies across the state are partnering in more special traffic enforcements to help meet those identified goals. One of these begins today (Wednesday) and runs through June 12. Officers will be keying in on impaired drivers, seat belt enforcement and excessive speed. The task force asks the public to be a partner by putting their phone down, reducing their speed and buckling up. “Drive safe Iowa,” Fulk says. “The power is in your hands.” During the Memorial Day traffic enforcement, the Carroll Police Department reported zero arrests for impaired driving. They issued a total of 35 citations and 32 warnings, mainly for excessive speed and reported 97 to 98 percent compliance for seatbelt usage. A breakdown of those numbers can be found below.
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Carroll PD sTEP Wave numbers from May 24 through June 6–click on image below TWO times to bring to full size: