Fifty-one people were killed in traffic crashes in Iowa in July, making it the second deadliest month for roadway accidents since 1999. Bob Thompson, with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says the most recent survey shows 90-percent of Iowans wear a seltbelt. The 10-percent who do not buckle-up, represent about 200,000 people.
Thompson says the 10-percent who do not wear a seat belt make up about 40 percent of the victims in fatal crashes. Motorists who fail to buckle-up can lose a lot of money if they’re caught. The fine for a seat belt violation is $25, but with court costs, it amounts to $83. Iowa, meanwhile, ranks second in the country for having one of the lowest percentages of fatal accidents that involve alcohol. Still, Thompson says there’s room for improvement.
"This is the big way to solve this problem," Thompson says, "is to get people to use common sense and not get behind the wheel when they’ve had some drinks…for gosh sakes, designate a driver."