Vehicle fatalities fall to 60-year low

State officials have announced the motor vehicle fatality total for 2009 has fallen to a 60-year low, saying much of the success is due to efforts of local, county and state law enforcement.

“Because of the hard work and dedication of officers like those in Jasper County, fewer people died on Iowa roadways this year,” Bureau Chief Larry Sauer said. “Iowans should be proud of their local law enforcement officers.”

In 2009, 372 people died in motor vehicle accidents on Iowa roadways. Although it is a preliminary count, this is the lowest number of motor vehicle fatalities seen in Iowa since World War II, when gas rationing was implemented to support the war effort. The all time highest number of motor vehicle fatalities on Iowa roadways was 912 in 1970. The lowest number of motor vehicle fatalities recorded in a single year in Iowa was 261 in 1925.

Over the last year local, county and state law enforcement worked together to increase enforcement on roadways showing a statistical increase in motor vehicle crashes over other roadways. Officers in all corners of the state, including Newton and Prairie City, then shifted their schedules to work holidays and nights — all times statistically shown to yield more motor vehicle injuries and fatalities.

“Shifting schedules and working odd hours is often difficult for our officers, but we have to work when the high risk drivers are on the road,” said Newton Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich and Prairie City Police Chief Louis Modlin in a statement. “The hard work paid off. Working the enforcement projects helped keep this community safe and saved lives on our roadways.

“Although reaching a new low in motor vehicle fatalities is certainly a milestone to honor, the 372 lives lost are still 372 too many. Your officers (in the Jasper County police departments) remain committed to decreasing the fatality number again in 2010.”