An “average” number of state troopers will patrol Iowa’s highways this holiday weekend. The State Patrol uses funds from a special federal program during most major holidays to pay the cost of putting extra troopers on the road in an effort to increase safety. They’re using those funds to pay for 82 troopers this holiday, but Lieutenant Dave Garrison says they’re down 35 troopers due to budget constraints and the “extra” troopers will really just bring them to normal strength. Garrison says troopers hope the holiday is uneventful — but that’s not likely, as past history has shown the holiday to be unsafe.Garrison says there were three fatal accidents last year during the holiday, and all three involved alcohol. A new law requires motorists to slow down and move over when encountering an emergency vehicle at the side of the road. Garrison says it’s just a matter of common courtesy, and asks people to be courteous when they see a patrol car or tow truck on the side of the highway. Garrison says they’ll be looking for alcohol and drug impaired drivers as well as moving violations in an effort to keep the highways safe.
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