Nov. 19, 2004

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Scott Falb
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Iowa DOT urges extra caution to drivers during Thanksgiving holiday

AMES, Iowa –  Iowa Department of Transportation records show the Thanksgiving holiday rates at or near the top for crash-related fatalities. For the most current ten years in Iowa, traffic deaths over the Thanksgiving weekend averaged 5.4 fatalities, with an average of 2.7 fatalities involving alcohol. Of the six holidays tracked by the DOT, Thanksgiving is the second deadliest for total fatalities and the leading holiday for alcohol-related deaths on Iowa roadways.

“Don’t drink and drive is the most obvious advice we can give to motorists,” said DOT Director Mark Wandro. “There are several steps people can take to make the roads safer throughout the holiday season.”

Wandro says the following tips are good to follow any time, but especially during the high-risk driving season that comes each year around the holidays.

•  If attending an event where alcohol is served, designate a non-drinking driver to drive your group home from the party and stick with that decision.
  

• Always wear your seat belt and properly secure children in a car or booster seat. 
  

•  Don’t follow too closely behind another vehicle, especially in heavier traffic traveling at higher speeds.
  

•  Obey posted speed limits and slow down if winter weather makes roads slick or limits your vision.
  

•  If a winter storm occurs, limit travel to necessary trips. Be flexible. Listen to weather forecasts and plan your travel around any wintery conditions.
  

•  Avoid traveling during peak traffic periods like Wednesday evening, Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon and evening.

“A little common sense would go a long way to keep drivers safe,” said Wandro. “But during the holidays, people tend to focus on the people and the events and lose sight of the danger that can come while driving.  When you are behind the wheel, focus solely on your driving.  The rest can wait.”

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