Iowa Auto Fatalities See Significant Drop In 2017

DES MOINES, IA — The number of fatalities on Iowa roadways last year decreased by nearly 20 percent over the previous year. The Iowa Department of Transportation reported that 330 drivers and passengers were killed on roads in 2017. In 2016 transportation officials recorded 402 fatal collisions.

Over the past five years, an average of 338 highway deaths have happened across the state. But aside from the spike seen in 2016, the number of fatalities had been consistent over three straight years, ranging from 317 to 322 between 2013 and 2015.

The number of deaths often increases during holiday weekends, when more drivers are on road trips, DOT officials said. In 2016, five of the six major holiday weekends saw fatalities on Iowa roads; in 2017, three people died over the New Year's weekend.

This year, no fatalities were reported over the New Year's weekend.

The DOT recommends the following tips to avoid becoming a statistic: slow down and follow the posted speed limit, drive sober, focus on the road, stay alert, and buckle up everyone in every seat, every trip.

New Year's Day interstate message board, Image via Iowa DOT