Many law enforcement agencies across the state are taking part in a program with the Governor’s National Traffic Safety Bureau (GNTSB).

Iowa State Patrol Trooper Shelby McCreedy says that the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program is taking place through the holidays, as they and other agencies try to cut down on the continually growing number of traffic fatalities. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio what is happening that is bringing that number up.

“There are a number of contributing factors that we’re seeing an increase in this year. First and foremost, seatbelt usage. I think on average, the last five years we’ve been hovering around 46, 47-percent of fatalities were unrestrained, and this year we’re up, I think just over 50-percent last time I looked. So, obviously, seatbelt usage is a contributing factor. Speed is always a factor, but we are seeing an increase in the triple digit speeds and speed being even more of a contributing factor that it even has been in the past, and it’s always been the number one contributing factor.”

McCreedy mentions that the GNTSB shared information with all the agencies participating in the program, showing that last year over the holiday break there were almost 1,100 operating while intoxicated arrests during the month of December.