Latest news with #IowaStatePatrol
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Wayland Police will participate in Route 20 traffic enforcement program. How it works
Route 20 stretches from Massachusetts to Oregon. This week, the Wayland Police Department will join other police departments from several states in a targeted traffic enforcement mobilization. Wayland Police Chief Ed Burman told the Daily News that the department will participate in the Highway 20 Speed Enforcement Project on Wednesday, July 16. 'It's a big enforcement day along Route 20 in 12 states, and it's designed to target speeders,' Burman said. This is the fourth mobilization this year — there are future events on Sept. 17 and Nov. 19. Wayland has been a participant for two years. The program was created by the Iowa State Patrol. It's designed to be a collaborative effort between local and state police to help promote traffic safety and reduce crashes on the often-busy Route 20. In Auburn and Oregon: Route 20 crackdown's mission is to educate, save lives Burman said he plans on having a patrol cruiser specifically working on Route 20 on July 16, targeting speeders. The Massachusetts State Police also plan on having extra patrols in several communities. Burman pointed out that Route 20 is a busy road in town and the site of many crashes, some serious. Burman said the amount of time the officer patrols Route 20 on Wednesday will be determined by how busy it is that day. 'It's a big cut-through for a lot of drivers,' said Burman. 'By upping the enforcement, hopefully it help reduces the number of crashes we have.' Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@ For up-to-date public safety information, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Wayland Police to participate in Highway 20 Speed Enforcement Project
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Vote to include Iowa State Patrol in national Best Looking Cruiser calendar
IOWA — The Iowa State Patrol is asking for the public's help in getting a photo of their patrol cars into the national Best Looking Cruiser calendar for the third time. The ISP submitted a photo of a current and historic patrol car parked in front of the Field of Dreams farmhouse in Dyersville to the American Association of State Troopers Best Looking Cruiser contest to be included in the 2026 calendar. Iowa DNR reports second-highest pheasant harvest in nearly two decades The contest takes photo submissions of cruisers from every state patrol in the country. In order to make it into the calendar, the ISP must rank within the top 13 submissions via public voting. As of Wednesday, the ISP said they were ranked well below that threshold. Now, the ISP is calling on the public to vote in the contest so they can make it into the calendar for a third time. The ISP made it into the calendar in 2024 and in 2021. A link to the voting poll can be found on the patrol's social media pages or by clicking here. Iowa News: Vote to include Iowa State Patrol in national Best Looking Cruiser calendar WHO 13 Farm Report: Wednesday, July 9 Iowa DNR reports second-highest pheasant harvest in nearly two decades Hotel Pattee reopens after flooding in June How 40 books from Iowa started a library in West Africa Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Multiple States Dial-up Crackdown on Cell Phone Use While Driving
Most states have strict laws in place to prevent distracted driving through cell phone use, and Iowa and Louisiana are the latest to join this effort. Since July 1, Iowa drivers have been prohibited from using a phone while driving, except for hands-free operation. Louisiana's new distracted driving law imposes the same rules, but takes effect on August 1. Sgt. Alex Dinkla, public information officer for the Iowa State Patrol, explained that drivers don't need to buy a new smartphone to comply with the state's new law via platforms like Apple CarPlay. Instead, he recommended Bluetooth, auxiliary cables, and phone mounts as ways that more drivers can comply with the latest enforcement, IPR reports. Iowa police will issue warnings for the first months of enforcement so motorists can adjust their habits. However, starting January 1, the state's police can give $100 citations. Iowa's new law outlines exceptions for emergencies and certain employees, including those in public safety and public transit. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, over 900 crashes occurred last year due to drivers being distracted by their phones or other electronic devices. Louisiana's new law also provides exceptions for emergencies and certain employees in addition to calls for reporting traffic collisions. Officials in Louisiana passed the law as part of the state's effort to lower high auto insurance costs, as fewer distracted drivers naturally pose less risk for insurers. Louisiana lawmakers made efforts before this year's legislative session to ban cell phone use while driving except for hands-free operation, but progress stalled over concerns that police would use the rule as an excuse to perform traffic stops and vehicle searches. The law eventually passed when Louisiana legislators added a provision preventing police from conducting searches or making arrests based solely on a cell phone use violation, according to the Louisiana Illuminator. Drivers who violate Louisiana's new distracted driving law face a fine of up to $100, but this amount increases to a $250 maximum citation if the offense occurs in a school or construction zone. On June 5, Pennsylvania also started enforcing a ban on handheld use of a cell phone, tablet, or any other electronic device while driving, including at a red light. Iowa's law allows for handheld cell phone usage if a car is stationary, but the vehicle must be off a traveled portion of the road. Conversely, Louisiana's new legislation appears to permit handheld cell phone use if a car is stationary at a stoplight. Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation reported 9,950 crashes caused by distracted driving last year, which resulted in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities, according to Pennsylvania Capital-Star. The warning period for Pennsylvania's enforcement extends further than Iowa or Louisiana, with fines of up to $50 starting in June 2026. Currently, 31 states, along with the District of Columbia, outlaw handheld cellphone use while driving. While Louisiana, Iowa, and Pennsylvania's new bans aim to increase road safety, Louisiana stands out with its desire to also use the legislation as a way to reduce car insurance costs. rates Louisiana as the most expensive U.S. state for auto insurance, with an annual cost of $2,883 for a full coverage policy. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Multiple States Dial-up Crackdown on Cell Phone Use While Driving
The nationwide shift toward hands-free cell phone usage for drivers Most states have strict laws in place to prevent distracted driving through cell phone use, and Iowa and Louisiana are the latest to join this effort. Since July 1, Iowa drivers have been prohibited from using a phone while driving, except for hands-free operation. Louisiana's new distracted driving law imposes the same rules, but takes effect on August 1. Sgt. Alex Dinkla, public information officer for the Iowa State Patrol, explained that drivers don't need to buy a new smartphone to comply with the state's new law via platforms like Apple CarPlay. Instead, he recommended Bluetooth, auxiliary cables, and phone mounts as ways that more drivers can comply with the latest enforcement, IPR reports. Iowa police will issue warnings for the first months of enforcement so motorists can adjust their habits. However, starting January 1, the state's police can give $100 citations. Iowa's new law outlines exceptions for emergencies and certain employees, including those in public safety and public transit. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, over 900 crashes occurred last year due to drivers being distracted by their phones or other electronic devices. Iowa state line sign — Source: Getty Louisiana's new law also provides exceptions for emergencies and certain employees in addition to calls for reporting traffic collisions. Officials in Louisiana passed the law as part of the state's effort to lower high auto insurance costs, as fewer distracted drivers naturally pose less risk for insurers. Louisiana lawmakers made efforts before this year's legislative session to ban cell phone use while driving except for hands-free operation, but progress stalled over concerns that police would use the rule as an excuse to perform traffic stops and vehicle searches. The law eventually passed when Louisiana legislators added a provision preventing police from conducting searches or making arrests based solely on a cell phone use violation, according to the Louisiana Illuminator. Drivers who violate Louisiana's new distracted driving law face a fine of up to $100, but this amount increases to a $250 maximum citation if the offense occurs in a school or construction zone. Pennsylvania preceded Iowa and Louisiana's laws On June 5, Pennsylvania also started enforcing a ban on handheld use of a cell phone, tablet, or any other electronic device while driving, including at a red light. Iowa's law allows for handheld cell phone usage if a car is stationary, but the vehicle must be off a traveled portion of the road. Conversely, Louisiana's new legislation appears to permit handheld cell phone use if a car is stationary at a stoplight. Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation reported 9,950 crashes caused by distracted driving last year, which resulted in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities, according to Pennsylvania Capital-Star. The warning period for Pennsylvania's enforcement extends further than Iowa or Louisiana, with fines of up to $50 starting in June 2026. Louisiana State Trooper car — Source: Getty Final thoughts Currently, 31 states, along with the District of Columbia, outlaw handheld cellphone use while driving. While Louisiana, Iowa, and Pennsylvania's new bans aim to increase road safety, Louisiana stands out with its desire to also use the legislation as a way to reduce car insurance costs. rates Louisiana as the most expensive U.S. state for auto insurance, with an annual cost of $2,883 for a full coverage policy. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
1 killed after being struck by semi while changing tire on shoulder of I-80 in Poweshiek County
POWESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — A North Carolina man was killed after he was struck by a semi while he was changing a tire on a semi-trailer on the shoulder of Interstate 80. 1 in custody following evacuation of EMC Events Center downtown According to the Iowa State Patrol, at around 7 a.m. Thursday a semi hauling a section of a wind turbine eastbound on I-80 experienced a tire issue and pulled over near the 184-mile marker near Grinnell. The driver of the semi's pilot vehicle, identified as 55-year-old Brenton Fergia from North Carolina, also pulled over and parked his vehicle behind the semi-trailer. The ISP said that Fergia got out of his vehicle and began to work on changing the semi's problem tire when another eastbound semi crashed into the pilot vehicle, which subsequently struck Fergia. According to a crash report, Fergia was transported to a hospital but later died from his injuries. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, the ISP said. Iowa News: 1 killed after being struck by semi while changing tire on shoulder of I-80 in Poweshiek County Extreme heat builds in this weekend Three more measles cases confirmed in eastern Iowa WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, June 19th Iowa State Fair announces 'animated' butter cow companion sculpture Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
