The Iowa State Patrol reminds motorists that the four-day holiday weekend will increase traffic on the state’s roadways, and that can translate into more collisions. Extra troopers will be out to make sure people are driving safely and buckling up, and they’ll be issuing warnings or tickets if needed.

Trooper Dan Loussaert says the goal is safety. “It’s not so much about writing tickets but to get people to think that driving is the most dangerous thing we do on a daily basis,” Loussaert says. He’s urging motorists to keep the speed down, keep a safe distance between vehicles, buckle up and don’t drink and drive.

(Reporting by Phil Roberts, Davenport)