Officers brace for holiday crashes

From Thanksgiving travel to Black Friday shopping, law enforcement officers expect a busy weekend.

November typically is more dangerous than other months, Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig said. The Thanksgiving holiday adds to that.

'November has had the highest number of vehicle crashes for the entire year,” he said.

There were two highway fatalities in Iowa in 2013 and three last year, according to the state Department of Public Safety. With that in mind, the State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are participating in a special traffic enforcement project that began Sunday and will continue through this Sunday.

Ludwig said police will look for distracted driving, speeding, impaired drivers and seat-belt use.

'Even though we have a 92 or 93 percent compliance rate (for seat belts), you'd like to see that be at 100 percent,” he said.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said the potential for crashes rises with busier roads for the holiday. 'We can't emphasize enough how important it is to wear your seat belts and avoid distractions - cellphones, radios, eating - while driving,” he said.

Johnson County Sheriff's Office Capt. Gary Kramer said his office will have full shifts of deputies working the travel days - today and Sunday. Coralville police will put an added emphasis on Coral Ridge Mall.

'We have picked up our presence in the mall at holiday times for years,” Lt. Shane Kron said. 'Tensions run high over some crazy things. We're going to be around and make sure everyone has a pleasant as possible shopping experience.”