As northwest Iowans prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, law enforcement agencies across the state are ramping up patrols as part of a high-visibility enforcement campaign aimed at keeping holiday travelers safe.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies for the campaign, which runs July 2 through July 6 and focuses on impaired driving, speeding, seat belt use, and distracted driving.
Increased Enforcement
Trooper Kevin Krull, a public resource officer with the Iowa State Patrol’s District 6 office in Spencer, says the Fourth of July is consistently one of Iowa’s busiest travel weekends.
“The State Patrol is going to be partnering with the local law enforcement in the area. And we’re going to be out there doing what’s called a high-visibility project, which basically boils down to we’re going to be out there stopping a lot of cars and making sure people are doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, more than 520 crashes, including eight fatalities, were recorded across Iowa during last year’s Fourth of July holiday travel period.
Krull says motorists should expect to see more officers on the road and reminds drivers to obey speed limits, wear seat belts, avoid distractions, and move over or slow down for emergency vehicles and stranded motorists displaying hazard lights.
Plan Before You Celebrate
While officials want Iowans to enjoy the holiday, they say making plans for a sober ride home should be part of every celebration.
“We’re not telling you (that) you can’t celebrate. What we’re telling you to do is have a safe ride home.”
To encourage safe choices, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and Doll Distributing are once again offering a $10 Uber voucher through the Decide to Ride program. The voucher is available statewide from 5 p.m. on July 3 through 2 a.m. July 6 and is limited to the first 1,000 redemptions.
Krull says anyone planning to consume alcohol should decide ahead of time how they’ll get home safely.
“Part of that plan needs to be complete and include the safe ride home, the safe way to get home.”
He also encourages people to step in if they see someone who may need help getting home.
“That person would rather get the phone call that night saying, ‘Come pick me up,’ rather than read about it or hear about the tragedy the next day.”
Krull also reminds drivers that Iowa’s new 60-mile-per-hour speed limit on most paved secondary roads took effect July 1 and says motorists should continue paying close attention to posted speed limit signs, especially in areas where reduced speeds remain in effect.
