Iowans throughout the state are preparing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little earlier this weekend, and officers are reminding revelers that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday this year, March 17, so Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District 4 Public Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy expects most of the parties will be during the weekend.
McCreedy adds that law enforcement isn’t opposed to having a good time, but a few too many green beers and a lack of a plan could land you behind bars or in the hospital.
The Iowa State Patrol and participating agencies will have an increased presence on the state’s roadways from March 15-18. While the focus is on drunk driving, officers will be on the lookout for the other significant causes of fatal crashes, such as speed, distracted driving, and seatbelt usage. McCreedy says 2025 is off to a good start compared to recent years, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) would like to see that continue.
As of Friday, March 14, Iowa has recorded 38 traffic fatalities so far this year, nearly 20 percent lower than 2024’s number, almost 30 percent below the five-year high, and 17 percent below the five-year average.
