Roadside Chat – Broke down? Walk amuck, you could get struck.
Did you know that most of the pedestrian fatalities in Iowa are not people getting hit as they cross a city street? In 2023, 22 of the 30 pedestrian fatalities were on roadways with a speed limit of 55 or higher when they are doing things like walking “amuck” outside of their car tending to a breakdown.
No matter how good of a shape you keep your car in, at some point, you may find yourself stranded along the side of the road with a flat tire, engine troubles, no gas, or a myriad of other issues. If you are ever in that situation the best course of action may seem counterintuitive, but it’s to stay in your car.
If you do encounter car trouble following these steps can help keep you safe:
- As soon as you notice a problem turn on your hazard lights.
- Slow down and pull off the road as far away from moving traffic as possible. Ideally it is best to be on the right shoulder on as flat of ground as you can find.
- Turn your wheels away from the road and put on the emergency brake. This will prevent your vehicle from rolling into traffic if you are on a hill or hit from behind.
- Stay in your vehicle, with your seat belt and hazards on. This will help signal to others that they need to follow Iowa’s Move Over law which means when they see any flashing lights they must move over if it is safe to do so or slow down and pass at a speed that allows them to react if necessary. Your seatbelt protects you if you happen to get hit.
- Call for help. The best source of help is 911 which can send emergency responders. These responders are trained and have the proper equipment to assist along busy roadways. Many are hesitant to call 911 because they don’t feel being stranded along the road is an emergency. However, when you are in that scenario you are vulnerable and things can turn into an unsafe situation for both you and others driving past you.
In honor of spooky season we celebrate a Halloween classic movie where it is discovered that “All Hallow’s Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amuck!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMHbO4WJA1o
Special thanks to Larry G. and his family for providing us with inspiration for this week’s message!
In 2024 in Iowa, 255 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of seven since last Friday. In Iowa in 2023, there were 377 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf