It has been the deadliest year on Iowa’s roadways since 2016, and the Iowa State Patrol and local police agencies are hopeful to keep the number as low as possible heading into the new year.

As of Thursday, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported 358 people had died in the state in traffic crashes, the most since 402 lives were lost in 2016 and currently 12.93% over the previous five year average. Trooper Darren Flaherty says the primary cause of many of these collisions has been increased speed and drivers operating while distracted. Additionally, 45.88% of those who were killed were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau’s sTEP enforcement wave has started and will continue until New Year’s Day. Several local police agencies are participating in the enhanced traffic enforcement cycle as officers look for speeding, seat belt violations, and operating while intoxicated or distracted.