Transportation Matters for Iowa

Personnel Updates for Sept. 9-22, 2016

September 30, 2016

Information provided by the Office of Employee Services

Message Monday - Use your brain, don't race a train

September 26, 2016

“The crew on the train tried to stop.” If you review news stories on crashes between a vehicle and a train you will find a common theme. The crew in the train did everything they could to avoid a crash, but most times there is little that could have be done to slow or stop a speeding locomotive. According to a BNSF report, trains can take up to one mile to come to a stop once the emergency brake is deployed.

That means it’s up to us as drivers to use our brains and not challenge a train. Trying to beat a train at a crossing isn’t just dangerous, it’s dumb. Saving a few minutes isn’t worth risking your life.

Message Monday - That seat belt looks good on you

September 19, 2016

We all do it. When you walk by a mirror, you take a quick glance to check out the image in the glass. You look good…

Behind the wheel there’s another type of glass you don’t want to check out up close. Keep the windshield or side window out of your face by buckling up. You do look good… and you’ll look even better by protecting yourself with your seat belt.

Buckle up – every seat, every time. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/03/11/seen-at-11-seat-belts-save-lives-but-many-people-dont-buckle-up/

The fatality count of 271 is an increase of 11 from last Monday. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf

Personnel Updates for Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2016

September 16, 2016

Information provided by the Office of Employee Services

Long-range planning effort continues to gain momentum

September 13, 2016

Development of the new long-range transportation plan, Iowa in Motion 2045, has been ongoing throughout 2016. The Iowa Department of Transportation has been gathering input from the public, holding meetings internally, and making presentations on what is being learned from input and analysis thus far.

As the agency continues to gather public input via an online survey through Sept. 30, a basic framework of the plan has been formed to align with what the public wants and expects with regard to the future of our transportation system.

Message Monday - Fender bender? You got to move it... move it

September 12, 2016

You’re in shock. Someone just crunched your vehicle’s rear bumper in the middle of traffic. You’re not injured, but you’re not sure what to do next.

Clearing the vehicles involved in the crash off the travel portion of the roadway is safer for the drivers involved and for those who are driving through the scene. This “quick clearance” to the side of the road allows traffic to continue to move, reducing the chance of a secondary crash.

What does it take to make that connection?

September 9, 2016

Growing up, Noah Reyman didn’t wear a seat belt very often. “We had a van and the kids were always running around in the back,” he said.

Not having to wear a seatbelt as a kid has had long lasting effects on Noah. “It’s just not something I always think about doing,” he admits. As a result, Noah says he’s had seat belt violation tickets.

It’s a good thing bad habits can be broken. On Labor Day, Noah was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend, Jade. His five-year-old son, Keegan, was safely strapped into his car seat in the back of Jade’s SUV. He said, “I don’t know why I buckled my seat belt this time. It just was one of those days I reminded myself to do it. I guess because I was a passenger.”

Message Monday - The best offense is good defensive driving

September 5, 2016

With the high school and college football seasons well underway, offense and defense are two words you’re likely to hear a lot in the coming months. So how does that relate to safe driving?

We all would like to think we’re good drivers, and maybe you are. But what about the guy or gal behind the wheel of the car coming at you? You can have the best offensive driving skills and be a great driver, but unless your defensive skills are just as good, that other driver might cause you problems.