Highway safety

• The latest and most comprehensive highway safety statistics are available at http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/FactsandStats.html.


• In Iowa, 360 people were fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2011.


• There was one crash every 11 minutes in 2006.


• One in 37 drivers was involved in a crash in 2011.


• Motor vehicle crashes (48,713) decreased by 11 percent in 2011. Fatalities decreased by 6 percent from 348 in 2010.


• There were 78 fatalities that were the result of alcohol-related crashes in 2011.


• At least 41.01 percent of persons fatally injured and 23.1 percent of those suffering major incapacitating injuries were not wearing a seat belt or other protective device in 2011.


• In 2011, 26 pedestrians were fatally injured and 479 were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.


• In 1987, Iowa's legislature provided that one-half of one percent of Iowa's Road Use Tax Fund be used for traffic safety improvements or studies on public roads under county, city or state jurisdiction. The program is funded with about $5 million per year in receipts.


• There are 40 full-service safety rest areas and 16 parking-only sites in the state. In 2010, more than 15 million people visited these areas. To locate the rest areas and services provided click here.