How Indianola Police Continue Push for Safer Roads, Thanks to Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau Grant

To support ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety by targeting impaired driving, increasing occupant protection compliance and reducing speed-related crashes across the community, the Indianola Police Department is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $23,500 grant through the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB).

A project agreement between GTSB and the department will be effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The grant funding is pending the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's approval of the GTSB's Highway Safety Plan.

Being able to partner with the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau allows us to utilize these grant funds to put additional officers on the roadway in order to promote safe driving and enforce traffic laws pertaining to risky driving behaviors," said Indianola Police Interim Lieutenant Brad Metcalf.

Addressing Impaired Driving Surge

This new grant funding arrives at a critical time, as the City of Indianola has seen a sharp rise in impaired driving-related incidents, according to Indianola Police.

In 2024 alone, there were 13 impaired driving crashes and 128 OWI arrests - increases of 146% and 312%, respectively, from the previous year.

As the city annually draws hundreds and thousands of visitors for high-traffic opportunities, like the National Balloon Classic, Warren County Fair, Simpson College events and various community initiatives, the need for increased traffic safety enforcement and education continues to be a key focal point for the department.

"The Impaired Driving Enforcement portion of our grant allows us to send officers out to specifically look for and identify drivers who are operating while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of both," Lt. Metcalf said. "Removing impaired drivers from our roadways has a direct impact on reducing traffic fatalities and motor vehicle accidents. Countless lives are potentially saved when law enforcement is able to intercept an impaired driver."

GTSB Grant Objectives to Accomplish

• Reduce impaired driving crashes by 25% through increased enforcement, educational outreach and officer training - including Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training for eight officers.
• Provide impaired driving education to local high school students through presentations and across IPD social media platforms, promoting responsible drinking behaviors and the use of designated drivers.
• Increase police presence during high-traffic events, particularly those involving alcohol sales and consumption.

Improving Occupant Protection Across Indianola

Furthermore, the GTSB grant will help increase occupant protection compliance by IPD. Local surveys conducted last year, IPD officials said, showed fluctuations in seat belt use, with rates ranging from 85% in May 2024 to 92% in September 2024.

Despite these numbers, crashes involving unrestrained occupants continue to result in injuries and fatalities. In the past five years, there were 22 motor vehicle crashes reported in Indianola where occupant protection was not used.

"Seat belt compliance is a priority for the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau and the Indianola Police Department," Lt. Metcalf said. "Wearing a seat belt during every car ride is a simple step that helps in reducing the risk of injury or death when involved in an accident. We strive to gain compliance through education and enforcement efforts."

GTSB Grant Objectives to Accomplish

• Reach a 95% seat belt compliance rate citywide.
• Increase occupant protection enforcement contacts by 10%; In 2024, the department had 171 contacts.
• Provide at least four hours of occupant safety education in Indianola schools.
• Host child passenger safety events led by the City's community service officer, who recently became a certified child passenger safety technician.
• Conduct enforcement near schools during high-traffic hours.

"The Indianola Police Department, in conjunction with the Seat Belts Are For Everyone (SAFE) program, promotes and educates middle school and high school students about seat belt usage," Lt. Metcalf said. "It's no secret that teenage drivers are in the highest risk group for motor vehicle accidents. Educating this age group is extremely important in the effort to reduce injuries and fatalities when these accidents occur."

Combating Speeding in High-Risk Areas

Speed-related crashes remain a persistent problem in Indianola, with 266 such incidents reported over the past five years and many involving drivers ages 14-20.

These crashes caused two fatalities, dozens of serious, minor, possible and unknown injuries as well as $1.9 million in property damage.

"Excessive speed on our roadways continues to be an issue that creates a substantial risk to all motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists that share the road. During last year's GTSB grant, the Indianola Police Department made 207 excessive-speed traffic stops while working the grant," Lt. Metcalf said. "That's 207 driving events in our community that, without the funding from GTSB, would not have been stopped and addressed by law enforcement."

GTSB Grant Objectives to Accomplish

• Reduce speed-related crashes by 10% by the end of the project year.
• Increased targeted speed enforcement, particularly on state highways and near schools.
• Purchase and deploy digital speed display signs in speeding hotspots.
• Conduct public education efforts through events, flyers and social media outreach.

"From time to time, the Indianola Police Department receives excessive speed complaints in certain areas. The GTSB grant allows us to have an increased police presence and enforcement level in these areas to address the issue," Lt. Metcalf said. "The grant also provides funding for the purchase of digital speed displays which are posted at several locations within the city. These signs bring attention to the driver's speed and help remind drivers to slow down."

Maximizing Impact Through Continued GTSB Partnership

The Indianola Police Department has partnered with the GTSB over the past several years to continue tackling speeding, seat belt usage, OWI detection and other traffic violations, along with many traffic enforcement projects.

Last year, because of a previous GTSB grant award and enforcement funding, the department exceeded all grant-related enforcement goals: 220% of its OWI targets, 129% for speed enforcement and 102% for occupant protection.

"Receiving the GTSB grant is a great benefit to the City of Indianola," Lt. Metcalf said. "The funding places additional officers on the roadway to address traffic safety issues right here in our own community. It also provides funds for the purchase of equipment in relation to traffic safety.

"This grant makes our roadways much safer, and it provides a cost savings for the citizens of Indianola."

To learn more about the GTSB, please visit www.dps.iowa.gov/bureaus-iowa-department-public-safety/gtsb.

To learn more about the Indianola Police Department, please visit www.indianolaiowa.gov/police.