It’s Pi Day – a celebration of the most famous irrational number, π or 3.14159265359…the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. As the world’s infinite, non-repeating pattern, Pi may go on forever. Our lives do not. One bad decision that we or another driver makes, could result in a premature death date.
Many of us take our driving skills for granted. We don’t concentrate on driving to keep our digits intact or cherishing our finite journey. In recent years, Iowa has witnessed a concerning rise in traffic-related fatalities. Alarmingly, vehicle-related deaths in Iowa increased from 336 in 2022 to 379 in 2023.
How can you ensure you don’t become a driving statistic?
Let’s remember that we’re all on this road trip together. These tips from our What Drives You campaign are the core of safe driving behaviors:
- Buckle up: Unbuckled people account for nearly half of our state’s highway fatalities.
- Slow down and drive chill: Speeding or aggressive driving might get you to your destination a few minutes earlier, but it also exponentially increases the risk of crashes.
- Pay attention: Your phone isn't as important as your life. Neither is food, passengers, or finding music.
- Drive sober: If you have to ask yourself if you’re good to drive, you’re not good to drive.
- Adjust to weather: Iowa's weather can be unpredictable. Adjust your driving to rain, snow, ice, fog, or any other condition that can change your ability to drive safely like you normally do.
One Iowa family shares how they were impacted by a finite journey losing cherished members to one of the most dangerous and preventable driving behaviors.
In 2025 in Iowa, 38 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of two since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 356 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report.