(Denison) AAA is projecting record travel this Thanksgiving holiday, with an estimated 71.7 million people traveling by automobile. Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District #4 Public Information Officer Shelby McCreedy emphasizes that they focus on ensuring a lower fatality rate during this busy time. The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau monitors the increased traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday and the days leading up to and following the holiday.
Iowa is currently under a Special Traffic Enforcement Program through December 1.
Trooper McCreedy noted that last Thanksgiving week, 34 people either died or were seriously injured on Iowa’s roadways due to the surge in holiday travel. She encourages everyone to plan their routes carefully to avoid road construction projects and to anticipate heavy traffic and delays. Most importantly, she stresses the importance of putting your phone down while driving.
Trooper McCreedy also reminds drivers to follow basic safety rules: obey posted speed limits, wear seatbelts, and avoid distracted or impaired driving. The goal is to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries, aiming for a number lower than 34 over the next holiday season.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau collaborates with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to decrease fatalities and injuries on Iowa roads through federally funded grants.
