AMES, Iowa ñ Aug. 4, 2011 ñ With the summer season dwindling to a close and many schools gearing back up in the next few weeks, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) officials are alerting drivers to be even more cautious of additional traffic on Iowa highways.
In 2010, the Iowa DOT recorded 35 fatalities in July. That number rose to 56 recorded in August. While just one year’s data does not make a trend, Iowa DOT Office of Driver Services Director Kim Snook says all drivers can take a message from the numbers.
Tired vacationers returning home from a long trip, new drivers headed off to high school, and excited college students setting off on their own may all be contributing factors to the increased fatality rates last year.
“While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause for the rise in fatalities in August over July last year, the Iowa DOT wants to do what we can to alert drivers to the increased fatalities and make sure people get to their destinations safely,” said Snook.|
