(Council Bluffs/ISP District 3) – The Iowa State Patrol, in Partnership with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, the Iowa Department of Transportation and local law enforcement agencies will be watching for speeders this Thursday, Sept. 16th. ISP District 3 Trooper/Public Information Officer Ryan Devault says the effort is an attempt to reduce fatalities, more than anything.

Of particular concern, is reducing the number of triple-digit speeders. Trooper Devault said he thinks speeds have come down from where they were when COVID was at its peak, but there are still egregious violations where drivers are in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The push to reduce speeding is intended to try and keep the number of speed-related fatalities below 300 for the year. Devault recommends drivers use their cruise control to break the lead-foot habit.

He acknowledges vehicles are much safer these days. They can brake for you when you are too close to another car on the highway, they can tell you when it’s safe to change lanes, and there may come a day when most vehicles are totally autonomous, (or, without human input).

The main thing to take away from this Speed enforcement effort on Thursday, is how speed affects the chances you will die in a crash.

He reminds you also: Don’t drive distracted. Don’t drive impaired. And buckle your seat belt.