(Radio Iowa) – According to the Iowa D-O-T and the State Patrol, 376 people died in traffic accidents in Iowa last year. That’s a 12 percent increase from 2022. Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Alex Dinkla says nearly half of those fatalities were drivers or passengers who weren’t wearing a seat belt. Dinkla says other leading factors in all accidents this year have been excessive speed and drivers who’re likely distracted by a cell phone or other technology in the vehicle.