Iowa DOT News

Thanksgiving weekend tops list for fatalities caused by impaired drivers on Iowa roadways


AMES, Iowa – Nov. 23, 2009 –  Driving during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend has proven to be the most dangerous holiday travel time in Iowa over the past decade. Fatality data collected by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) over six different holiday periods shows Thanksgiving (from Wednesday noon until midnight Sunday) has the highest death toll on our highways.

Last year nine people were killed in traffic crashes over the extended weekend. Of those nine, three people died as a result of an impaired driver. Scott Falb of the Iowa DOT’s Office of Driver Services says, “Far and away, Thanksgiving weekend has been the deadliest holiday on Iowa roads. And, since 1999, nearly 30 percent of the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters killed on Iowa roads died as a direct result of an impaired driver’s actions.”

Thanksgiving weekend crash statistics
(noon Wednesday through midnight Sunday)

 

Year

Number of crashes by severity

Fatal

Major

Minor

Possible/ Unknown*

Property damage only

Total

2003

6

14

62

82

470

634

2004

2

21

56

114

527

720

2005

7

18

59

111

481

676

2006

7

18

50

115

486

676

2007

13

21

80

110

755

979

2008

8

25

70

125

713

941

Number of fatalities and injuries by severity

 

 

Year

Fatal

Major

Minor

Possible/ Unknown*

Total

 

2003

6

17

89

110

222

 

2004

2

27

86

176

291

 

2005

10

26

88

156

280

 

2006

7

25

75

163

270

 

2007

16

25

108

184

333

 

2008

9

33

96

174

312

 

* Possible and unknown injury data is derived from law enforcement crash reports indicating unspecified injuries.

There are several steps people can take to make the roads safer throughout the holiday season.

· Do not drink and drive. If you are attending an event where alcohol is served, designate a nondrinking driver to drive home from the party and stick with that decision.

· Ensure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt---all positions, all ages.

· Do not follow too closely behind another vehicle, especially in heavier traffic or when you are traveling at higher speeds.

· Obey posted speed limits, and slow down if your vision is limited by heavy rain, fog or snow.

· Plan your trip keeping weather-related travel conditions in mind. Listen to forecasts, and check road conditions by visiting 511ia.org or calling 511.

· Avoid traveling during peak traffic periods, including Wednesday evening, Thursday morning, and Sunday afternoon and evening.

Falb says, “Focusing solely on the task of driving when ‘behind the wheel’ is the easiest way to improve safety. There is no such thing as a traffic ‘accident.’ Most crashes are preventable. What each driver needs to do is pay close attention to the driving task and use common sense.”

To see a list of holiday fatality numbers dating back to 1962, log on to http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/holidayfatalities.pdf

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Contact: Scott Falb at 515-991-0136 or [email protected]

 

 

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