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The Iowa State Patrol continues to see an increase in the number of traffic fatalities statewide.

District 4 Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy says last year there were 338 traffic fatalities and their goal is to be under 300 traffic deaths every year. McCreedy recounts how the pandemic played a huge role in determining those numbers.

“When you were looking at the months of March, April, and even into May and part of June (2020), we were down about 28 fatalities from 2019. But then once things started to open up, the months of July and August, not only ate up the gain but then pushed us over where we were in 2019.”

McCreedy points out that their main focus is seat belt usage and she offers this advice when it comes to making choices on the road.

“With the exception of incidents involving wildlife, there are really no accidents because somebody’s action – a choice that somebody made or something that somebody did –  causes crashes. People just need to really focus on practicing safe behaviors behind the wheel. We’re out here trying to modify behaviors for all ages in order to bring that number down.”

McCreedy adds that as of last Wednesday, traffic fatalities were two ahead compared to that point last year, including 14 fatalities in the first two weeks of April. To hear more from McCreedy, listen to today and tomorrow’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program.