State Troopers in Iowa and Minnesota are combining with law enforcement agencies across the country in a holiday traffic enforcement event known as Operation I’s. Colonel Robert Garrison leads the Iowa State Patrol. He says it’s a collaborative effort between state and local law enforcement agencies to provide a safe environment for people who’re traveling during the holiday weekend. Garrison says Minnesota will work with Iowa to cover some common ground. He says both departments will focus troopers on the Interstate 35 corridor to make their presence known. Garrison says officers will be looking for all types of violations. He says Labor Day has been the second deadliest holiday on the roadways as people get out for their “last big hurrah” before going back to school and work.” He says they expect heavy traffic. Garrison says the traffic may not be as heavy in some cases because of the higher gas prices. He says it’s got to be an impact. He says he saw gas at three-dollars and nine cents a gallon in Clear Lake and that impacts his driving. Garrison says you can save some gas and be safe by slowing down. He says you should observer the speed limit. He says the majority of fatalities take place on the two lane roads. There were five deaths on Iowa highways over the 2004 Labor Day weekend.
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