Memorial Day is the official unofficial kickoff weekend for summer. This is the holiday that we meet with family and friends to enjoy what summer has yet to offer us.

About 700,000 more people will travel on Memorial Day weekend than did last year. This is a 1.8 percent increase over the previous year. This is led by the fact that gasoline prices are at an 11-year low. The National average was $2.74 in 2015 and $3.66 in 2014. I’m sure a lot of you fall into this increase as you will travel or will have family and friends travel to your location to enjoy the Holiday together.

Extra deputies on duty

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office will have some extra deputies working from May 23 until June 5. This does not take away from our normal patrol. The extra deputies’ focus will be on traffic offenses (seat belt, distracted drivers and impaired drivers) to help keep the roads safe for those traveling in Webster County. The overtime to accomplish this is paid by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. Webster County Sheriff’s Office has participated in this program for the last four years. This budget year we were approved for $4,200 in overtime for the Special Traffic Enforcement Program year. The monies from GTSB fund this added patrol to make our roadways safer for everyone.

Things to keep in mind

Some things to keep in mind when traveling on Memorial Day weekend or any time for that matter are.

1. Plan your route ahead of time.

2. Give full attention to the road, avoid distractions and be safe and courteous.

3. Make frequent stops on longer trips to refresh.

4. Use the headlamps at dusk and during inclement weather. If you need your windshield wipers on, turn your headlamps on so traffic can see you.

5. Buckle up. In 2014, 118 of the 322 crash fatalities were not buckled up.

6. Prepare your vehicle for the trip, including tires, mechanical, washer fluid and fuel.

7. Know your location (mile marker, road or highway or direction from a town).

8. Obey all posted speed limits and other traffic laws.

Useful apps

When planning your travel, keep in mind this is the time of year that construction projects are in full swing, so use caution when traveling through work zones. If you have an Apple iPhone or Android device you may want to download the 511 app by the Iowa Department of Transportation. This app will give you road conditions, closures, lane closures and warnings. This is free and a very useful app when traveling. The Red Cross has an app that you may want to utilize also. Their app is also free and will keep you up to date on weather alerts and a lot of other useful information to make your trip stress free.

Stay safe

Remember holidays should be enjoyed by all but please enjoy responsibly. If alcohol is part of your holiday make sure driving is not.

A lot of the information we have gone over seems like common sense and it should.

On behalf of the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, we wish you a safe and most enjoyable holiday and summer season. Traveling is not the only activity that takes place so be careful when grilling, boating or swimming this summer. We are here to help you with any event that may happen to you or to anyone you come across in your travels. We can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the event of an emergency call 911 or 515-573-1410 for nonemergencies.

James Stubbs is the Webster County sheriff.