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...]
State Patrol asking for money to upgrade its airplanes
The Iowa State Patrol is looking to replace some of its aging aircraft. Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Roxann Ryan, says they are asking for $3.5 million outside their general budget for the planes. "We currently have seven airplanes, we are the only law enforcement agency with … [Read more...]
Public Safety Commissioner and head of State Patrol to retire
Iowa's top public safety official and the chief of the Iowa State Patrol will both be retiring next month. Roxann Ryan and Jeff Ritzman will be stepping down on January 2, both ending careers of 36 years in public service. Ryan has served as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety the … [Read more...]
Victim in fatal Highway 163 accident was from Prairie City
A Prairie City man was killed this morning in a crash on Highway 163 in Jasper County. Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Nate Ludwig says 50-year-old Rex Chickering was driving a van that slammed into the back of a slow-moving pickup pulling farm machinery. Chickering died at the scene. The driver of … [Read more...]