Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, but it is also one of the most dangerous weekends for motorists. Beginning tomorrow (Friday), state, county, and local law enforcement will be participating in the latest Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort (CARE) initiative. According to Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District 4 Public Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy, long holiday weekends tend to see substantial increases in the frequency of serious accidents.
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McCreedy says law enforcement will be out in higher numbers Friday through Monday. The focus of the Labor Day CARE is on impaired driving, but officers will be watching for the major factors that contribute to fatal crashes.
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McCreedy adds there are some significant misconceptions regarding fatal accidents in Iowa. While the state’s rural roadways do not see as much traffic as metropolitan areas, they typically have more crashes resulting in death.
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The Labor Day Weekend CARE initiative runs from Friday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 5. McCreedy urges motorists to slow down, wear their seatbelts, put down their phones, and designate a sober driver so everybody can celebrate the unofficial end of summer safely.