Archives: December 2022
Roadside Chat - Want your life to last? Put safety first.
December 30, 2022
Are you one of those people who set New Year’s resolutions? Whether you are or are not, a good goal when you’re behind the wheel is to always arrive safely to wherever you’re going.
Sounds simple and of course you want to be safe and get to your destination. But how much do you actually think about what you can do to make sure that happens?
Personnel updates for December 9, 2022 to December 22, 2022
December 29, 2022
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Roadside Chat - Keep in right lane unless passing ya' filthy animal
December 23, 2022
It’s the winter travel season and there are plenty of frustrations to go around. If you’re on a multi-lane road, one of those frustrations might appear when slower drivers use the left lane.
Your safety isn’t an issue because of the lane you’re in, it’s how fast you’re going compared to other traffic. Traffic safety professionals like us call this the “speed differential,” which is just a fancy way to say that if traffic is not going at about the same speed. When this happens there is more risk of crashes.
Recent Iowa DOT Awards
December 21, 2022
The Iowa DOT is focused on making lives better through transportation. Whether we are working to put safety first or focusing on our customers, innovation, and leadership are at the heart of the work we do. Sometimes that innovation and leadership earns us attention and accolades from our industry partners and peers. We are proud of those across the Iowa Department of Transportation who have been recognized for the following awards in the second half of 2022.
Roadside Chat - Yippie Ki Yay for motor truckers - give them space
December 16, 2022
This time of year, it seems like we’re all in a rush to get somewhere. For some, that somewhere is a shopping destination. “If you bought it, a truck brought it” was a line from a movie, but it rings true.
Professional drivers put their lives and livelihoods on our roads every day. The trucks are large and cannot maneuver as quickly as a passenger vehicle. Additionally, many of these trucks have equipment that does not allow them to go past a set speed.
Personnel updates for November 25, 2022 to December 8, 2022
December 15, 2022
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Keeping you safe - Iowa’s traffic incident management community gathers to learn from each other
December 13, 2022
You may have heard it said that heroes are the ones who run toward danger instead of away from it. In Iowa, we’re very lucky to have a group of these heroes in the form of responders who work together to get emergencies on the road under control quickly and clear the way as soon as possible for travelers. Their actions save lives. Recently, a group of those heroes gathered in Ames for the 2022 Traffic Incident Management Conference to learn more about how working together at a crash scene can keep everyone safer.
Roadside Chat - I like to buckle. Buckling is my favorite.
December 9, 2022
Buckling your seat belt, no matter where you’re sitting in the vehicle, can save your life. It’s really just that simple.
Each year the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau conducts a survey of front-seat passengers to see how many are buckling up. In 2021, nearly 93 percent of front-seat passengers were buckled.
It sounds great that nearly all front-seat passengers are buckled until you also learn that of the 317 deaths on Iowa roads so far in 2022, 102, or nearly one-third, were unbuckled. Those are real people who won’t be there to celebrate holiday traditions with their family and friends such as watching iconic movies, like Elf, the inspiration for this week’s message.
Personnel updates for Nov. 11-24, 2022
December 5, 2022
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Roadside Chat - Why is the road wet, Todd? Slow down, Margo!
December 2, 2022
Snow and ice season is here. At this time of year, Iowa roads can go from clear to wet to snowy to icy in a very short distance. Unless the weather is sunny and clear and pavement temperatures are above freezing, you should always be prepared for slick spots.