WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) — The Iowa State Patrol is urging drivers to buckle up and drive sober this Labor Day weekend.

Officials emphasize that this final weekend of summer marks the end of what they call the "100 Deadliest Days," a period known for a high number of fatal accidents.

This year, the number of fatal accidents in Iowa has decreased by nearly 13 percent, according to Sergeant Alex Dinkla, and troopers are hopeful this positive trend will continue.

"So that is telling us that some things are going right out there," said Dinkla. "We're seeing lives saved on our roadways, and we hope to continue that trend as we move through the end of the year."

The State Patrol credits part of the reduction in fatalities to Iowa's new hands-free law that took effect in July, prohibiting driver

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