Iowa’s Move Over law expanding to include all vehicles with flashing lights

June 28, 2018

Starting July 1, drivers in Iowa are required to change lanes if possible or slow down when they approach any vehicle with flashing lights.

All 50 states have versions of this type of law commonly referred to as a “Move over” law. The laws are meant to protect workers and others who are along the side of the road from being hit by passing motorists. Iowa first put the law (Iowa Code 321.323) into effect in 2002. At that time it included only certain emergency and maintenance vehicles. Last year the law was expanded to include utility vehicles and others working alongside the roadway. The 2018 version now includes all vehicles displaying flashing or hazard lights, including private vehicles who may be stopped due to vehicle trouble or emergencies.

Personnel Updates for June 1 – June 14, 2018

June 26, 2018

Information provided by the Office of Employee Services

Iowa work zones are getting smarter

June 25, 2018

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder.” For the Iowa Department of Transportation, our use of intelligent transportation system (ITS) tools is making driving through many of our work zones safer for everyone.

Last year, 10 people died in crashes in Iowa work zones. Of those 10, seven were motorists and three were construction workers. To reduce the number of work zone crashes and fatalities and improve traffic flow we’re using many tools geared to give motorists more information and help you make better decisions while driving through these areas.

Message Monday - Shift happens - especially in work zones

June 25, 2018

You’re headed down the road at a comfortable cruising speed when you see a “ROAD WORK AHEAD” sign. What do you do? What are drivers around you doing? Are all the cars shifting to another lane? What are the workers you’re about to encounter doing?

The best advice when coming up on a work zone is to expect the unexpected and follow these simple guidelines.

Message Monday - I couldn't fasten my seat belt. Then it clicked

June 18, 2018

Here’s to all the dads out there who think they are very punny, and to the families who love them. Enjoy a few of our favorite transportation-related bad dad jokes.

Personnel Updates for May 18 – May 31, 2018

June 12, 2018

Information provided by the Office of Employee Services

Message Monday - Camp in the park, not the left lane

June 11, 2018

Lots of us like to get out into the great outdoors. There’s just something restful about living life under the sun, moon, and stars.

Contrast that to travel on an interstate or four-lane highway. There’s not much that’s leisurely about driving in traffic. You always have to be at your best and pay attention to what’s going on around you. That means keeping an appropriate speed and using the left lane for passing, returning to the right lane as quickly as possible to help keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently.

Where did that come from?

June 6, 2018

Random furniture, construction debris, lots of single shoes and tons of other garbage litter the roadsides of Iowa. How does all that junk get from someone’s house, a factory, or a job site to the ditch?

Practically every day employees of the Iowa Department of Transportation cringe at what they see on the roadway. Pick-up truck beds loaded to the hilt tied down with a single rope (or no tie down at all), passenger vehicles with half-open trunks full of stuff peeking out through precariously placed bungee cords, flatbed trailers with beams bobbing and weaving with each dip of the road. These items are all just one bump away from becoming dangerous obstacles in your daily commute.

New driver’s license and ID card design starting today

June 5, 2018

The next time you renew your Iowa driver’s license or identification card, the card you receive will look a little different. Any cards issued on or after June 2 will have new graphics and security features to help protect your identity.

The key objective is a secure card that protects Iowans from identity theft or fraud. States regularly refresh the look of driver’s licenses and identification cards to incorporate new and advanced security features and to protect against fraud. Iowa’s new cards include security features that thwart counterfeiting and tampering, and decrease the possibility of identity theft or fraud. The cards feature the golden dome of Iowa’s capitol building along with our state motto and include layered security features that protect the cards against fraud or alteration.

Message Monday - Loads shift around. Recheck your tie downs

June 4, 2018

Random furniture, construction debris, lots of single shoes and tons of other garbage litter the roadsides of Iowa. How does all that junk get from someone’s house, a factory, or a job site to the ditch?

Practically every day Iowa Department of Transportation employees cringe at what they see on the road. Pick-up truck beds loaded to the hilt tied down with a single rope (or no tie down at all), passenger vehicles with half-open trunks full of stuff peeking out through precariously placed bungee cords, flatbed trailers with beams bobbing and weaving with each dip of the road. These items are all just one bump away from becoming dangerous obstacles in your daily commute.