This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

Jan. 29, 2025Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Iowa sees fewer traffic fatalities, but concerns remain

car crash

DES MOIENS, Iowa - Iowa saw fewer traffic fatalities in 2024 than the year before, but high speeds, distracted driving, and wrong-way crashes remain major concerns.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), 351 people died in traffic crashes last year, down from 378 in 2023 but still above the five-year average.

The Iowa State Patrol says wrong-way drivers were a significant issue, with some cases involving disoriented elderly drivers and others linked to impairment.

Speeding remains a serious problem, with troopers citing over 1,100 drivers for going over 100 mph. The highest recorded speed was 164 mph.

Law enforcement is working to reduce these extreme speeds with targeted enforcement zones. Another growing concern is ATV and UTV crashes, with fatalities jumping from 12 in 2023 to 20 last year.

The state patrol and Iowa DOT are also pushing for a hands-free driving law to crack down on distracted driving.