DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Iowa is expected to see under 300 fatalities from car crashes in 2025 — the lowest number of deaths in a century. According to ISP Sgt. Alex Dinkla, if the number of fatalities on Iowa’s roads are less than 261 through the end of this year, it will be the lowest number ever recorded in state history. The State began keeping statistics in 1925.

As of Monday, 259 Iowans had died this year from crashes. That’s down from 344 in 2024, 375 in 2023, and 334 in 2022. In 1970, there were a record 912 fatal crashes in Iowa. The decline in deaths since then, have been attributed to much improved vehicle safety features, such as crumple zones and air bags. In-vehicle technology that alerts a driver to lane departure is another safety feature.

In addition to vehicle improvements, officials say the Iowa DOT is always looking to improve roadways and address some of the biggest causes behind crashes, by adding edge and center line rumble strips to alert drivers their vehicle is drifting out of the lane of travel. Signage and road markings are being upgraded, too. Paint markings are being widened from 4-to 6-inches for better visibility. The DOT says work is also being done to make intersections safer, such as changing them to roundabouts or diverging diamonds.

The laws surrounding driving in Iowa have changed significantly over the last century. Wearing a seat belt and increasing the drinking age to 21 became law in 1986. Iowa’s Move Over law expanded to require pulling over and slowing down for all vehicles with flashing lights in 2018.

As we’ve mentioned, Hands-free legislation, which makes it illegal for drivers to manipulate electronic devices like phones with more than a single touch while driving, took effect in July. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will be able to issue tickets and fines for drivers caught using their phones.

But even with all of these changes, officials say there’s still room for improvement, whether it comes in the form of changing interchanges or writing tickets.