Car-deer collisions are climbing in Iowa as combines are running full tilt, scaring animals out of the fields and into the roadways. A recent report ranked Iowa the seventh worst state in the U.S. for such crashes, with a one-in-58 chance of colliding with an animal. Iowa State Patrol Trooper … [Read more...]
Motorists reminded passing stopped school bus illegal, unsafe
Some Iowa schools have only been back in session a few days and there are already multiple reports of vehicles passing stopped school buses. Iowa State Patrol Trooper John Farley says it's a recurring problem as motorists break the law by passing a stopped bus with its lights flashing and stop … [Read more...]
State patrols in Iowa and four other states look to cut excessive speed
The leader of the Iowa State Patrol joined his counterparts from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas to announced a joint effort to crack down on excessive speed. Colonel Nathan Fulk spoke about the issue today at a Missouri Department of Transportation facility. "Law enforcement is seeing a … [Read more...]
State sees increase in excessive speed on roadways during pandemic
Several state agencies are getting together to try and put the brakes on some of the drivers in the state who have been taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways to push the speed limit. State Patrol spokesman Sergeant Alex Dinkla says, "The big norm seems to be now since the COVID hit … [Read more...]
State Patrol sees an increase in drivers topping 100
The Iowa State Patrol reports what they say is an alarming number of motorists being stopped for driving in excess of 100 miles- an-hour. Public information officer Sergeant Alex Dinkla says troopers have seen a 52% increase over a four-year period for speeds of between 135 and 150 miles-an-hour. … [Read more...]
State Patrol to use drones to investigate at crash scenes (video)
The Iowa State Patrol has unveiled a squadron of drones which leaders say can help minimize highway disruptions and provide quicker clearances of crash scenes. Troopers are incorporating a new Small Unmanned Aircraft System into their technical crash investigation program. State Patrol Sergeant … [Read more...]
Highways expected to be busy for this holiday
AAA is predicting a record for travel this Memorial Day weekend. Iowa State Patrol trooper John Farley says that means you'll see a lot of traffic on the state's roadways. He says they Patrol wants everyone to be aware of the extra traffic and the need to follow some basic rules to be safe. … [Read more...]
State Patrol: tickets for driving and texting continue to increase
More than 1,000 motorists got citations from the Iowa State Patrol for texting while driving last year and the numbers are still climbing. Patrol Sergeant Nathan Ludwig says it's now a primary offense, meaning, you can be pulled over just for texting. "I think the misconception people have is … [Read more...]
New leader named for Iowa State Patrol
A new leader for the Iowa State Patrol will be sworn in Friday. The Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens has seleced Captain Nathan Fulk to take over as the 17th Chief of the Iowa State Patrol. Fulk is a 22-year veteran of the patrol, who has most recently been serving as an … [Read more...]
State saw more highway crashes, but fewer highway deaths in 2018
Fewer people were killed in traffic crashes in Iowa last year, but Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Nathan Ludwig says it's not necessarily because people are being more careful when they get behind the wheel. "So, just the State Patrol...we covered almost 500 more crashes (in 2018) compared to a year … [Read more...]