Archives: September 2022
Roadside Chat - Driving is a privilege, not a right
September 30, 2022
Sometimes it can be a little confusing. What things are you able to do because you have a right to do them and what activities do you get to do because you earned the privilege to do them?
In school, you probably learned about the “Bill of Rights.” These first 10 Amendments to the Constitution spell out your rights as an American related to the government.
While it’s true there were no motor vehicles when the Bill of Rights was adopted and the Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out, there is no expressed right from the federal government or any state that has deemed driving as a “right.”
Roadside Chat - The one where... you & your friends all buckle up
September 23, 2022
It’s been 28 years since “Friends” first episode, “The one where Monica gets a roommate,” debuted on television. For the next 10 seasons, viewers of “Friends” were regularly greeted with episodes with titles that started with “The one where…”
What’s the storyline with your friends? Is there an episode that should be called “The one where everyone buckled up, even in the back seat?”
Personnel updates for September 2, 2022 to September 15, 2022
September 22, 2022
Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems
New Fort Dodge intersection developed to reduce number of crashes and serious injuries
September 20, 2022
If you’re a parent of more than one child, you know a thing or two about how to reduce conflict. Some sage advice includes separating the conflicting items (in this instance, children) to give them time to think about what to do next, potentially reducing the risk of injury.
It’s really not so different with drivers approaching an at-grade intersection on a four-lane highway. The more you can separate the drivers and give them time to think about what’s next, the fewer conflicts or crashes will happen and the severity of the conflicts that do happen is reduced.
That’s exactly what is going on right now on U.S. 20 at Poplar Avenue near Fort Dodge. A new “reduced-conflict” intersection was opened recently with the goal of seeing fewer crashes and injuries at an intersection that may be getting much busier soon with the opening of a travel plaza.
Roadside Chat - Babies don't come with a manual. Car seats do.
September 16, 2022
Most of us would do everything in our power to protect our children. From the first time you install an infant car seat, one of the keys to child passenger safety is having your kid in the correct seat and having that seat installed properly.
How do you know which car seat is the right one for your child? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/right-seat) to help you determine which seat is best for your child. Routinely check the website to see when it is safe to “graduate” your child to the next type/style of car seat. This determination takes into account your child’s age, height, and weight.
Roadside Chat - Big game plan: score a safe ride home
September 9, 2022
Great coaches are those who approach every game with a solid plan to succeed. With big games like Iowa State versus Iowa; the University of Northern Iowa versus North Dakota; and the start of the National Football League all happening this weekend, the coaches have their plans, but how about you? If you’re going to be drinking or doing something else that might impair your judgment, how are you going to get home safely?
Personnel updates for August 19, 2022 to September 1, 2022
September 8, 2022
Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems
Roadside Chat - Work zone orange is always in season
September 2, 2022
You’ve likely heard the adage that Iowa has two seasons, winter and construction. Iowa has nearly 115,000 miles of roads and 24,325 bridges across the state that need maintenance and care to get you where you need to go safely and efficiently.
Each day there are hundreds of active work zones, where our family members, friends, and neighbors are hard at work to improve these roads and bridges. They are trained to work in the safest way possible, but are still vulnerable to the dangers of working next to moving traffic. There are a few things you can do to make sure every one of these dedicated workers makes it home at the end of each shift.
September 2022 Service awards
September 1, 2022
Information provided by the Budget and Business Systems Bureau