Spencer, IA (KICD)– 2022 was not a good year on Iowa roads when looking at the number of fatalities and law enforcement is hoping to fewer of those kinds of calls moving forward.

Iowa State Patrol Trooper Kevin Krull tells KICD News while last year was slightly better than the two previous, 338 people did lose their lives on Iowa roads.

Trooper Krull says many of those fatalities across the state and locally are considered preventable.

It is also important to remember many incidents that result in a fatality for an unrestrained person tend to happen near home.

And then there is the weather aspect to driving in this part of the country which has been interesting to say the least over the past few weeks.

Looking ahead to 2023, the Iowa State Patrol will once again be trying to keep the number of fatalities under three hundred. Trooper Krull says one of the best ways the public can help with that goal is to be a safer and defensive driver.