(Radio Iowa) – Several state agencies are getting together to try and put the brakes on some of the drivers in the state who have been taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways to push the speed limit. State Patrol spokesman Sergeant Alex Dinkla says “The big norm seems to be now since the COVID hit is that motorists feel that it is okay to drive well in excess of the speed limit. And so we want to make sure that we slow motorists down — because our ultimate goal is we want people to get to their destination safely — and to save lives.”

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He says this is more than drivers going five or six miles above the limit. “People traveling 25 miles-an-hour or more over the speed limit as well as 100 miles-an-hour or more over the speed limit. Each month since around March, we have seen those numbers just increase,” he says.

Dinkla says there may have been less traffic on the roadways — but there is still a danger with those high speeds. “When motorists travel that fast, they are not going to have a good reaction time should a motorist or even a deer pop out in front of them. We’ve seen the number of 100-mile-and-hour or more citations increased to over 100 tickets each month since March of motorists getting ticketed for traveling over the speed limit.”

Dinkla says the drivers thought they were out there alone. “One of the number one reasons we were given from a lot of motorists when they were stopped during the pandemic was — they plain and simple thought law enforcement was not out there actively stopping cars and initiating traffic stops,” according to Dinkla. “Quite the contrary, because our officers, they are not able to work from home. They have to be out enforcing these infractions.”

The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa State Patrol, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and the Iowa Department of Transportation are collaborating on tactics to help bring awareness to the issue, and encourage personal responsibility in keeping Iowa’s roadways safe in a public awareness campaign. Dinkla says finding our your loved one was involved in a fatal accident is not something you want to hear. “Those fatality accidents also take a toll on officers and first responders that have to respond to those and see the things that they see,” Dinkla says.

He says officers will be on the roadways and looking for drivers who feel the need for excessive speed. )”Not only for the Fourth of July but through the month of July, we are going to be actively out there trying to reduce what people think is the new norm and that they are able to speed,” according to Dinkla. “We want to make sure that we get that message out there. It is not okay to drive well in excess of the speed limit. The speed limit is out there for your safety as well as other motorists’ safety.”

The data shows the most common speeding violators are males between the ages of 14 and 29 years of age. The highest rate of noncompliance with posted speed limits occurred on Saturday afternoons. The Patrol’s data also revealed that 60 percent of the violators are out-of-state drivers.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill requiring women to wait 24 hours to get an abortion. The law is similar to one struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court two years ago. Reynolds signed the measure into law Monday as lawyers for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the state were wrapping up arguments before a state court judge who must now decide whether to immediately halt its enforcement.

Planned Parenthood claims the bill is unconstitutional in the way it was passed in the middle of the night and that it violates due process and equal protection rights of women seeking an abortion.

Public Health officials in Mills County, today (Thursday), confirmed two new, positive cases of COVID-19. The latest cases deal with persons 61-to 80-year of age, who contracted the virus through community spread. The two additions bring to 36 the total number of confirmed cases in Mills County. Of those, 32 have recovered. The county reports also, 1,957 people have been tested for COVID-19.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — Iowa 3rd District Democrat Representative Cindy Axne has announced a new grant amounting to more than $1.4-million, to repair pipes and storm sewers in Council Bluffs following damage from last year’s flooding. During last year’s flooding and severe storms, high ground water in Council Bluffs caused multiple storm sewer failures, pipe damage, and sewer collapses. The grant, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), helps fund the replacement of pipes and pavement at nine different sites in the city.

After securing $3 billion for Midwest flood recovery in last year’s federal disaster bill, Rep. Axne has been tracking funding provided to Iowa to help rebuild from last year’s flooding with her Iowa Flood Funding Tracker. With this new grant, the Tracker now details over $562 million in federal dollars spent in Iowa, including at least $80 million from FEMA.

One person was injured during a collision just east of Massena, late Wednesday morning. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, just before 11-a.m., Deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at Highways 148 and 92. An investigation determined a 2002 Chevy Cavalier owned and driven by 22-year old Travis Wade Purdy, of Creston, was traveling south on Highway 148, and had attempted to cross the intersection with Highway 92, when it was struck by an eastbound 2018 Dodge Ram.

The pickup was owned and driven by 69-year old Alan Edward Grobe, of Oakland. Following the collision, Purdy’s car struck a 2018 GMC Sierra owned and driven by 40-year old Cody Lee Platt, of Massena, which was stopped at the northbound stop sign on Highway 148.

Purdy was transported to CCMH by Massena Fire and Rescue. Damage to Grobe’s vehicle is estimated at $8,000 and damage to Platt’s vehicle is estimated at $1,000. Damage to Purdy’s vehicle is estimated at $4,000. Purdy was cited for Failure to Obey Sign and Failure to Yield Upon Entering Through Highway.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa officer who has faced protests for shooting an unarmed Black man in 2016 says he’s being unfairly terminated for giving a break to a driver two days earlier. The Cedar Rapids Police Department fired Sgt. Lucas Jones last month, saying only that he had violated department policy. Protesters had been calling for his dismissal over the 2016 shooting of Jerime Mitchell after a traffic stop. A termination letter released this week shows that Jones was not fired for misconduct related to Mitchell’s shooting. Instead, it shows that the city is faulting him for refusing to arrest a Black woman who was driving with a suspended license two days earlier. Jones is vowing to appeal his termination.

There were no injuries, but damage amounted to $6,200, after a car hit a Casey’s General Store this (Thursday) morning,in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, at around 10:25-a.m., 61-year old Rodney L. Parson, of Red Oak, was driven a 2005 Nissan Altima, and while attempting park in front of the Casey’s at 201N. Broadway, his foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator pedal. The result was the car jumping a curb and hitting the east side of the building. The impact caused the wall to be pushed in about one-foot, and resulted in interior damage as well.

No citations were issued.

DES MOINES, Iowa – With anecdotal information circulating on increased sales and use of consumer fireworks, as well as the reduced number of community Independence Day celebrations and fireworks shows, State Fire Marshal Dan Wood is advising Iowans to take extra safety measures this long, holiday weekend. “We understand the desire to fully embrace the July 4th holiday and find fun and creative ways to celebrate and let loose after a difficult spring,” said Wood. “If you choose to do this with fireworks, there are some very important safety measures you should take.”

Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports annual injuries of around 10,000. Specifically, Iowa has experienced a dramatic rise in injuries the last few years with the Iowa Department of Public Health reporting 143 emergency department visits for fireworks-related injuries in 2018. It’s important to note that roughly 46% of those who are treated in Iowa emergency departments are between the ages of 15-34. This is clearly a higher-risk age group.

As part of its education and outreach efforts the State Fire Marshal Division is encouraging Iowans to visit the office’s website The4thRules.com. Here you can find a host of fireworks safety tips including:
•    Refrain from drinking alcohol before and while discharging fireworks
•    Keep spectators at least six feet away from lit fireworks
•    Always supervise children near or handling fireworks. Even simple products like fireworks can be dangerous – burning at up to 2000 degrees
•    Keep a water source handy to douse “duds” or in case of emergency.

In addition to safety measures, it’s important to make sure you’re discharging fireworks legally:
•    Always purchase from a licensed vendor. You can find these listed at The4thRules.com as well
•    Children 18 and younger cannot legally purchase fireworks
•    Be sure you’re purchasing and discharging consumer fireworks. If you check the label anything marked 1.3G or below is for professional use only
•    Check local city or county ordinances. Some communities have increased restrictions on if and when you can shoot consumer fireworks.

The State Fire Marshal Division wishes all Iowans a safe, July 4th holiday.