In 2016, 401 people were killed on Iowa’s roadways.

The number represents the most since 2008, according to data provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Iowa State Patrol Safety Officer Alex Dinkla tells KNIA/KRLS News from those incidents, 41% of people that died in crashes and inside a vehicle at the time were not wearing a seatbelt.

“The way I describe to most people about wearing seat belt is when you’re in a roller coaster, you always want to be buckled up and secured when you’re going upside down or spinning,” he says. “And a vehicle, when it gets in a crash is basically just like a roller coaster.”

Pella Police Lt. Paul Haase specializes in traffic safety for the department, and says there are many similar factors that often lead to serious accidents, including speed and distracted drivers.

“With the increase of distractions and speed and things of that nature inside that vehicle, I believe that’s what’s causing the uptick in fatality accidents,” he says. “Just an increase in accidents I believe comes from distracted driving, whether it’s using a cell phone or DVD players or other distractions out there.”

The first fatal crash of 2017 was reported on Monday night, when a semi overturned on Highway T-17 near Bussey, and Stanley Sloan of Harvey died after he was ejected during the accident.