(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety report that on July 13th, Troopers and Officers from multiple agencies joined law enforcement partners across the country, as part of the ongoing “Highway 20 Speed Enforcement Project.” The Project, started by the Iowa State Patrol, has grown into a nationwide effort among state police, state highway patrol and local police agencies, to promote traffic safety and reduce crashes across the 12 state that U.S. Highway 20 runs through.

U-S 20 spans nearly the length of the country, from east-to-west, running from Newport, OR to Boston, MA. It was designated as the longest highway in the country in 1989, at 3,365 miles. As of 2020, various projects have slightly shortened its length. The Highway 20 Project is a bimonthly collaborative effort, taking place on a select day with a two-hour initiative in the morning and again in the evening. During the July 13 initiative, 93 officers across the country made 691 contacts with the motoring public. Of those, 389 resulted in citations, 295 warnings, and seven motorists were assisted.

In Iowa, U-S 20 covers 333 miles. Over the course of the four projects in 2023, multiple officers from over 40 agencies have issued 1,965 citations, 1,275 warnings, and assisted 76 motorists. Lieutenant Brian Beenen, District 9 Commander, Cedar Falls, says “With the goal of improving safety and reducing crashes on all roadways, the Iowa State Patrol is thankful for the partnerships that have been made to make this project successful. This coast-to-coast initiative involves over 40 law enforcement agencies across the country. We look forward to continued collaboration to make our roadways safe.”

The public is encouraged to call 911 in Iowa or 911, to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired drivers.