(Denison) The National Traffic Safety Bureau established the Thanksgiving Holiday as a C.A.R.E. weekend in Iowa. Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District #4 Public Information Officer Shelby McCreedy says this acronym for Crash Awareness Reduction Effort runs from today through November 26. She says this means an increased presence of law enforcement officers on the roadways during this time to attempt to alleviate driving behavior that leads to severe or fatal traffic accidents.
Trooper McCreedy says the extended holiday weekends create an opportunity for increased celebration and consumption. McCreedy says the rule applies to all holidays: make a plan, follow the plan, and keep people and others from a dangerous situation.
Distracted driving is another traffic safety issue. McCreedy says distracted driving is one of the fastest-growing safety issues on the roadway today.
Trooper McCreedy says in 2022, there were seven fatalities over the Thanksgiving Holiday. McCreedy says this was a ten-year high.
Seatbelts have proved to be a lifesaver. Wearing a seatbelt as a front-seat occupant of a passenger car lowers your risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.
