Monroe Iowa Police Department

10/23/2025

08/15/2025

City of Monroe, Iowa,- Last year, in the final four weeks of summer, 45 people died on roadways in Iowa; Nearly 30% of those fatalities were caused by impaired driving*. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement statewide to support enforcement efforts aimed at decreasing impaired driving. August 15-September 1, agencies are participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement project. During this time, the public will see an increased presence of officers working together to remove impaired drivers/motorcycle riders from the road.

“Impaired driving can take many forms, and our law enforcement officers and Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are trained to identify all kinds of impairment. Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, law enforcement can and will identify and stop impaired drivers when they see them,” says DRE State Coordinator Todd Olmstead.

Making a plan for a sober ride can be a lifesaving decision. Designate a sober driver if you need a ride, or call a taxi/rideshare service. If available, use your community’s sober ride program. If you see or suspect an impaired driver/rider on the road, contact local law enforcement.

GTSB works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

06/26/2025

06/26/2025

Fourth of July sTEP July 3-7, 2025

Why?
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to for a high-visibility enforcement effort. The project, which coincides with the Fourth of July holiday, is July 3-7, 2025.

Iowa had nine traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend last year, making it the deadliest Fourth of July weekend in over a decade. No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure you're staying safe, and never drive impaired.

Uber Voucher
Through its Decide to Ride program, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher to encourage Iowans to plan ahead and make safe choices. GTSB is supporting the effort by helping raise awareness. Below is a link to the Fourth of July voucher to share with your community. It's valid statewide beginning 7/3 at 5 pm and ending 7/7 at 2 am.

06/26/2025

June 26, 2025

Hands Free Cards
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) are collaborating to educate the public on Iowa’s new Hands-Free Driving Law. Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF 22 into law on April 2, 2025, making Iowa the 31st state in the nation to enact hands-free legislation. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2025, with an initial warning period through December 31, 2025.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. A 2024 GTSB survey of over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, even though 50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand.

“Iowa's new hands-free law marks a pivotal moment in our fight against distracted driving; it's an unprecedented opportunity to fundamentally change driver behavior," says Brett Tjepkes with the GTSB. "By embracing this change, we can drastically reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, making Iowa safer for everyone.”

The hands-free law prohibits drivers from using electronic devices while driving unless the device is in a hands-free setting. This means drivers cannot hold their phone, type, scroll, enter GPS coordinates, stream video, view content, or make calls unless voice activated. Drivers can use several options to stay hands-free: phone mounts, auxiliary cables, speakerphone features, Bluetooth, and other voice command systems.

With the implementation of the new law, the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies will focus on both education and enforcement during the six-month warning period. Law enforcement across the state is distributing educational materials to raise awareness about the law and how drivers can comply with it. The Department of Transportation, cities, and various coalitions are also distributing information.

“Every life lost to distracted driving is a tragedy,” says Iowa State Patrol Colonel Nathan Fulk. “By adopting Iowa’s new hands-free law, we are taking a major step toward safer roads in our state. Let’s all do our part: put down the phone, focus on the road, and help make Iowa’s roads safer for everyone.”

Iowans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new law and consider what hands-free options will work best for them and their vehicle. For more hands-free resources, please visit https://dps.iowa.gov/hands-free-law-materials or DriveSmartIowa.com.

Download Hands-Free law educational materials here.

06/06/2025

UTVs and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) at one time were primarily used where they were safest: off-road, on trails, around the farm, and in rugged terrain at low speeds. However, as of 2022, a new state law now allows Iowans to drive ATVs and UTVs on most roadways, except interstates and four-lane highways.

As ATVs-UTVs have become increasingly popular, coupled with the relatively new law allowing them to be driven on more roadways, we have seen a dramatic spike in fatality and serious injury crashes.

Since 2023, the Iowa Department of Transportation reports that there have been over 300 crashes involving an all-terrain vehicle, and 35 of those have been fatal. Last year had the highest number of fatal crashes (20) in the past five years and as of today, three people have already lost their life in Iowa as a result of a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle this year.

Whether riding on a roadway or operating on private property, ATV riders need to take safety seriously and make sure they follow the law and all recommended safety guidelines when operating.

05/13/2025

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It. Don’t Risk It. high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is May 19-June 1, 2025.

It is perceived everyone wears a seat belt, but data shows that’s not true. In 2024, 44% of traffic fatalities in Iowa were unbuckled; that translates to 108 lives lost. In a GTSB survey of over 1,450 Iowans, 88% reported always buckling up in the front seat. Only 67% always buckle in the back seat.

“No matter the type of vehicle you’re traveling in, where you’re seated, or what type of road you’re driving on, the best way to protect yourself in a crash is to buckle up,” says Brett Tjepkes, Iowa GTSB Bureau Chief. “Unfortunately, many families are suffering because their loved ones did not follow this simple step. If this enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers not buckling up, we’ll consider the mission a success.”

If you know a friend or a family member who does not wear a seat belt, please talk to them about changing their habits. Help GTSB and law enforcement spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to be properly restrained when traveling.

GTSB works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants.

05/04/2025

Racing home after drinking? Don't take a gamble. If you enjoy some mint juleps this Kentucky Derby weekend, don't play the odds. Bet on safety and get a sober ride home.

04/21/2025

Impaired drivers can’t accurately assess their own impairment – which is why no one should drive after using any impairing substances. Remember: If you feel different, you drive different

04/04/2025

The Monroe Police Department along with Prairie City PD and the Iowa State Patrol will be conducting an inter agency traffic enforcement wave as part or the Governors Safety Traffic Bureau Enforcement week on Hwy 163 today 4/4/25 between Monroe and Prairie City. Please slow down and drive safe.

03/31/2025

As part of its efforts to prevent distracted driving and enhance road safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds drivers to prioritize safe road practices and avoid distractions while driving with this clear message: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.

Distracted driving, which involves cellphone use or any activity that takes attention away from the task of driving, is risky driving behavior that endangers everyone on the road, from the distracted driver and other drivers to passengers, pedestrians, and pedalcyclists. According to NHTSA, 15,960 people died and around 1.8 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. In 2022 alone, there were 3,308 people killed in traffic crashes involving at least one distracted driver, 8% of all traffic fatalities that year. An estimated additional 289,310 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.

Though life-threatening, distracted driving can be prevented. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving, and by following these steps for a safe drive:

· If a text message is expected or needs to be sent and can’t wait, the driver should pull over and park their car in a safe location before using the phone.

· Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter,” and give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.

· Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.

· Listen to your passengers: If they see you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.

· Cell phone use is habit-forming. If struggling to not text and drive, drivers can activate their phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until they arrive to their destination.

Cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Break the cycle. Remember: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward. Help save lives and be an example to others by committing to that message. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.