Area police departments are increasing patroling for Thanksgiving holiday

Law enforcement officials from over 400 Iowa agencies will be patrolling city streets, rural roadways and interstates over the Thanksgiving holiday, urging motorists to buckle up and obey all traffic laws, as part of Iowa's Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday weekend ten persons perished on Iowa roadways.  There were eight fatalities during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 

Law enforcement officers across Iowa will be out in force sending a strong message "Click It or Ticket, Day and Night" aimed at increasing safety belt usage and saving lives.

While Iowa's safety belt use rate remains at 93%, placing the state in the top ten in the country, 7% of Iowans still fail to buckle up when they get in a motor vehicle.