Iowa’s preliminary number shows the lowest number of traffic deaths since the state started keeping records 100 years ago. DOT State Highway Safety Program Manager Larry Grant says a drop in motorcycle deaths is one of the factors.
Motorcycle deaths dropped from 64 to 38 in 2025. Grant says running off the road has been a key factor in motorcycle deaths.
Grant says driving while impaired by alcohol is another factor in motorcycle deaths, but he says age is a bigger concern.
Grant says the older age group is 54 to 65, and handling the speed of the motorcycle becomes an issue for them.
Grant says ATV and UTV crashes have led to more deaths as laws changed regarding their use.
UTV and ATV deaths dropped by half this year from 20 to 10. Grant says one other statistic that stands out is the number of accidents where more than one person died.
Grant says the 2025 total now is 259, but they wait 30 days after the end of the year to make it a final count.
