Preparing our front line for success

January 18, 2022

Sitting behind the counter at an Iowa Department of Transportation driver’s license service center or county treasurer’s office for the first time can be very intimidating. If you are working for an Iowa DOT service center or most county treasurer offices, you’re tasked with the important job of making sure drivers are properly and safely licensed to share the road with your friends and family. You’ll also be asked to assure that all identification cards are properly issued for those customers who come to us for ID services. And if you are working for a county location you have the added  responsibility of  titling and registering the 4.5 million vehicles in Iowa.

Roadside chat - Drinking & driving is like ranch & chocolate

January 14, 2022

There are some things that just leave a bad taste in your mouth. You would probably think twice before eating an orange right after you’ve brushed your teeth and who in their right mind would mix ranch dressing and chocolate? But how much thought do you give to getting behind the wheel if you’ve had a drink or two?

Personnel updates for December 24, 2021 to January 6, 2022

January 13, 2022

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Standing corn leads to safety legacy for Solon family

January 13, 2022

Kurt Stahle and his brothers Kyle and Kevin grew up on a farm near Iowa City. They’ve been driving Iowa 1 for decades and know every spot along the road that is prone to hang on to the worst winter can dish out. That’s why the brothers are proud participants in the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Standing Corn Snow Fence program.

Kurt said, “We grew up driving that road and we’ve seen the increase in traffic since Iowa 1 has become a main north-south artery into Iowa City. With the hills, there is often black ice at the crests that people can’t see. Before we started with the standing corn program, I lost several mailboxes to people spinning out on the ice and we used to have to call the local maintenance garage to get the plows back over our way. We don’t have to do that anymore.”

Finding your “why” to motivate healthy lifestyle choices

January 11, 2022

This time of year, many of us are examining our lives and contemplating making lifestyle changes. At the beginning of 2021, Todd Shepherd, training specialist 1 in Human Resources, was in the same boat and  was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” He had a lack of energy as he was trying to keep up with his two kids ages 5 and 3 and knew it was time to implement healthier lifestyle choices.

Shepherd understood that to truly make a change he needed more than a simple New Year’s resolution. He credited a mindset shift with truly propelling him to success. “I used an app to help me understand my motivation or my ‘why.’ For me that was my kids and my inability to do the things I wanted to do. I found that the key to success is having a compelling personal reason to change elements of your life. What is holding you back from doing what you want to do?”

Roadside Chat - Texting & Driving is not auto correct

January 7, 2022

It’s tough enough for some of us to compose a text properly when that’s the only thing we’re focused on. Trying to text when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle could cause all kinds of communication issues, not to mention it puts you, your passengers, and anyone driving around you in danger. 

Unlike your phone, your vehicle doesn’t have “auto correct.” As the driver, you’re in control of the speed and direction of your vehicle. When your attention is diverted from the task of driving, even for a short time, the result could be disastrous.

January 2022 Service awards

January 3, 2022

Information provided by the Budget and Business Systems Bureau

Roadside Chat - Ring in the New Year right. Drive sober tonight.

December 31, 2021

What are your plans for News Year’s Eve? If you’re hosting a gathering, don’t forget to offer your guests non-alcoholic drink options. If you’re headed out to celebrate, plan ahead and bring your own non-alcoholic options just in case the host hasn’t planned mock-tail versions for the celebration.

If you do plan to drink on New Year’s Eve, plan ahead for a sober ride. Designated drivers, rideshares, and taxis are excellent ways to get home safely. If those are not available where you are, your safest bet is to stay put for the night.

Personnel updates for December 10 to December 23, 2021

December 30, 2021

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Roadside Chat - Only Rudolph should drive lit

December 24, 2021

Whether you understand “lit” to be drunk or overly excited, you really shouldn’t drive in either condition.

Any substance, whether that’s drugs or alcohol, that impairs your thinking can impact your ability to safely drive. When you’re “lit,” you’re less able to judge things like distance. Driving impaired will also reduce your response time and concentration. Your vision can be impacted, as can your ability to assess risk.

Some of the same dangers can happen when you’re overly excited behind the wheel. Extreme emotions can diminish your ability to concentrate as well as how well you assess risks. You’re also more likely to drive recklessly.