Thanksgiving is the busiest travel weekend of the year, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS), which can bring an increased possibility for traffic crashes.

Local law enforcement urges motorists to drive safely this holiday season, as Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright advises, “Have patience, leave in good time so you have plenty of time to get where you’re going and you don’t have to rush your driving. Everyone needs to buckle up in the front and back seats, it’s important that everyone wears their seatbelts.”

According to the IDPS, proper seat belt use reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45%. Males are also more likely to be unbuckled than females in fatal crashes, and the 13-15 age group have the highest percentage of occupants killed that were not wearing a seatbelt. Arganbright also encourages motorists to have patience and avoid distractions such as cell phones, to make this a safe driving season.