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By admin, July 2, 2010 8:00 am

Tens of thousands of Iowans will be hitting the road this week for the 4th of July holiday. Not only will law enforcement be enforcing Iowa’s new cell phone law banning texting and more while behind the wheel, but they will be in full force across the state to crack down on drunk drivers, distracted drivers, speeders and other traffic violators.

Read the full news release issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS) below:

In conjunction with the Fourth of July holiday period, Iowa law enforcement agencies are announcing they will again be out in full force starting July 2nd through the 5th, cracking down on impaired drivers and other traffic violators to prevent crashes and save lives.

With hopes of warmer weather and an extended weekend, law enforcement will gear up for the 4th of July weekend. In addition to speed and seat belt violators, they will target drunk drivers. “Driving while drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk,” said Larry Sauer, Bureau Chief at the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. “No matter your age, if you’ve had too much holiday spirit, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high.”

Sauer cited recent statistics to underscore the importance of the crackdown. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during the 2008 July 4th holiday period (6:00 p.m. Thursday July 3rd to 5:59 a.m. Monday July 7th), our nation recorded a total of 491 traffic-related deaths.”

Although Iowa had only 2 traffic fatalities in 2009, our 10-year average for this holiday period is 5. “Too many people still fail to understand that not buckling up, not driving the speed limit and driving impaired leads to loss of lives. It’s vitally important that we bring this tragic situation to an end,” said Sauer. “The cost of not obeying these and other traffic laws could be your life or the life of a loved one.”

During the 2009 July sTEP wave (special Traffic Enforcement Program), 237 agencies had contact with 472 alcohol/drug impaired drivers, 1,465 seat belt violators and 6,435 speed violators. In all, more than 16,200 traffic violations were recorded. Beyond these violations, officers assisted 844 motorists, investigated 344 traffic crashes and apprehended 143 wanted persons.

Driving out of town for the Fourth of July? Leave us a comment, or weigh in on our poll below.

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By admin, July 1, 2010 8:15 am

Lt. Corbin Payne

Drive Safe Cedar Valley, a traffic safety awareness initiative aimed at saving lives by changing the culture of driving in the Cedar Valley, has announced a new spokesperson to lead public awareness efforts in 2010. Corbin Payne, a lieutenant and Watch I Commander with the Waterloo Police Department, will promote the campaign’s mission and safety messages throughout the Cedar Valley. Payne joins Nick Anderson, a firefighter and paramedic for the Waterloo Fire Department, as a campaign spokesperson.

“The Drive Safe Cedar Valley campaign is designed to change the culture of driving in the Cedar Valley through safety awareness and advocacy,” said Sandie Greco, Superintendent of Traffic Operations for the City of Waterloo. “Corbin has seen the devastating impact of unsafe driving in the Cedar Valley up close. His experiences really put the importance of safe driving habits into perspective in our community.”

As a new spokesperson, Payne will help promote and share important safety and accountability messages with the community through public appearances, traditional media outlets and social media, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the Drive Safe Cedar Valley blog.

“As a public safety official, the Drive Safe Cedar Valley mission resonates with me because of the unsafe driving consequences I witness while on the job,” said Corbin Payne, Lieutenant and Watch I Commander with the Waterloo Police Department, and spokesperson for Drive Safe Cedar Valley. “By encouraging the community to take ownership of their safety and the safety of others, together we can raise awareness about this program and build support to sustain it into the future.”

Payne has been a member of the Waterloo Police Department since 1996. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of Watch I Patrol, Payne has also served as a Supervisor of the Citizens Response Unit (CRU) and the Waterloo Police Tactical Unit. Other duties and assignments include Patrol Officer, Drug Crime Unit, Bike Patrol Officer and Investigator with the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force.

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By admin, June 16, 2010 1:15 pm

Nick Anderson, spokesperson for Drive Safe Cedar Valley, shared some important safety messages with a younger audience today. He spoke to children attending the Quakerdale Mobile Camp at Hammond Brethren Church in Waterloo about seatbelt, pedestrian and bicycle safety. For more photos, visit the Drive Safe Cedar Valley Facebook page.

You can also listen in below to a YouTube video snippet of Nick chatting with the camp kids.

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By admin, May 18, 2010 10:15 am

Click It or Ticket starts next week!

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is typically one of the deadliest, most dangerous times of the year for drivers. Last year’s statistics reflect that. The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Governor’s Traffic Safety Board reported 11 people died as a result of motor vehicle accidents on Iowa roads over the 2009 Memorial Day weekend. Read the full news release with 2009 stats here.

This month, authorities nationwide are launching a Click It or Ticket effort from May 24th through June 4th to reduce the number of crashes – and fatalities – on the road. Iowa and Cedar Valley officers will be out in full force prior to, during, and following the Memorial Day holiday to enforce traffic laws, including seat belt use. In fact, if law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you could receive a $93.75 ticket. So, don’t let the holiday excitement distract you from getting to your destination safely. Driving without a seatbelt, as well as impaired or distracted driving, could cost you more than a ticket – it could cost you your life.

Where are you headed this Memorial Day holiday? If you’re hitting the road, let us know how far you’re traveling!