Now more than ever, we appreciate our amazing employees. One of them, Duane Hartman, has been named Driver and Identification Services Examiner of the year for 2019. As Iowa’s top examiner, Hartman, a 17-year veteran out of our Burlington driver’s license service center, was also recognized for his accomplishments by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems
Iowa’s transportation system includes nearly 4,000 miles of track utilized by 18 privately owned railroads. These railroads carry about 17 percent of the freight that is moved in and through Iowa and provide more than 58,000 rail passenger rides each year.
As a transportation system, railroad tracks and roads work together to effectively get people and goods where they need to go. While connecting these transportation modes is vital to an efficient system, the crossings where they intersect can be dangerous if motorists do not pay attention to warning lights, gates, and train whistles.
It was a simple idea. What if our driver’s license service center and county treasurer team members wore t-shirts promoting organ donation? Could that turn the question we ask of all our customers “do you want to be an organ and tissue donor” into more meaningful conversations or result in more customers choosing to become donors?
Rear-facing, front-facing, infant seat, or booster – which car seat is safest for your child?
According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations’ Right Seat website, there are three factors specific to your child that go into choosing the appropriate seat – age, height, and weight.
Many people think that once their children outgrow baby car seats, they should begin to use the seat belts built into a vehicle. According to NHTSA, for their safety, many kids 8 to 12 years old still need to use a booster seat to allow the vehicle’s seat belts to fit properly. Make sure they ride in a booster seat until they outgrow the size limits of their booster, or until they are big enough for an adult seat belt to fit them properly.
With the derecho, drought, and other negative impacts on Iowa farming in 2020, many farmers will have standing corn left in their fields. The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking to partner with farmers who have fields along state or U.S. highways for our Standing Corn Snow Fence Program.
Over the last 20+ years, the program has helped improve wintertime mobility and highway safety using partnerships with dozens of farmers statewide. The program used corn that can be left in fields during the winter to serve as snow fences that slow down or stop snow from blowing and drifting across the road. More recently, this cooperative effort has included using round hay bales as snow fences, as well.
Whether you’re in a virtual or in-person work or classroom situation, the ability to keep your mind on the task at hand helps you be more successful. The same is true when you’re behind the wheel.
Distractions while driving come from three distinct areas - taking your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving. Combining any of these increases your risk of being involved in a crash.
Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems
In the midst of all the turmoil 2020 has brought into our lives, we’re learning to appreciate the little things that make life worthwhile.
One of those small treasures might be a day off of work to celebrate Labor Day with friends and family (socially distanced, of course). Whether you’re having a backyard barbeque or one last spin around the lake, celebrating responsibly will help end this summer on a high note.
Information provided by the Budget and Business Systems Bureau
