State Patrol Out in Force For Labor Day Weekend - ABC5 News Des Moines, IA

State Patrol Out in Force For Labor Day Weekend

By Alex Schuman

aschuman@myabc5.com

Trooper Nate Ludwig started his night shift for Iowa State Patrol Sunday at 5 p.m.

For the last thirteen years, he's watched Iowans from inside his patrol car risk their lives by repeating the same mistakes over and over.

"Everybody's in a hurry.  It's a holiday weekend," Ludwig said.

All Labor Day really means to Ludwig is more cars to watch on the road.

The National Safety Council predicts there will be 40,000 injuries from car accidents throughout the holiday weekend.

Ludwig listed the three biggest mistakes he sees drivers make:

 -  Talk and text on their cell phone

 - Drive aggressively and try to pressure slower cars

 - People who react to aggressive drivers by speeding up instead of slowing down

Ludwig's solution to all these is patience.  If you accept you don't need to make record time home or respond right away to that text, you will avoid an accident as well as any chance Trooper Ludwig will give you a ticket.

State patrol adds troopers over Labor Day.  Ludwig says there's about one trooper for every three counties, but they will still be out doing their best to keep everyone safe.