Statewide Iowa — Drivers can expect an increased police presence on Iowa’s roads during a national seatbelt campaign.
From now through June 2nd, law enforcement across Iowa is partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Click It, Don’t Risk It effort. The effort focuses on the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt.
In 2023, nearly half of traffic fatalities in Iowa were unbuckled.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper-spokesperson Kevin Krull says this is a 100-percent preventable violation. He says it’s always important for officers to enforce, but they will be out in force now, through the Memorial Day weekend, all the way until June 2nd, trying to get people to buckle up.
He says that when 45% of the deaths on the Iowa roads are from unbelted people and those who don’t buckle up are only four to ten percent of the population, it’s easy to see that wearing your seatbelt is important.
He says the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is also reminding people at every holiday to “designate before you celebrate,” meaning choose a designated driver before the drinking starts so that everyone gets home safely.
