Transportation Matters for Iowa

Personnel updates for Dec. 6 to Dec. 19, 2024

December 27, 2024

Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau

ROADSIDE CHAT – JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS, PUT THE PHONE AWAY

December 27, 2024

Many of us were in elementary school when we heard the Caped Crusader spin on “Jingle Bells.” This holiday parody has been around for decades, and its silly and rebellious charm gets passed down from one generation to the next annually. This year, we’re adding a new twist on “Robin laid an egg.” It’s a substitution that should also be passed down to the new generations in our family and practiced every day of the year: when you are driving, put the phone away.

ROADSIDE CHAT – SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN, LET HIM MERGE

December 20, 2024

In a few days, Santa Claus is coming to town. Traffic could be heavy heading down from the North Pole on Christmas Eve. So, be ready to make room for his sleigh because ‘he knows if you’ve been merging…he knows who’s in your lane…he knows if you’ve been sig-nal-ing, so be good for goodness sake!’

Winter Travel Readiness: Commitment, Resources, and Partnerships To Keep You Safe

December 13, 2024

After a long, warm autumn, it’s rain, snow, wind, and freezing temperatures that are dominating recent weather patterns with a few small events to practice our winter operations and driving skills.

As Iowa braces for its first major winter weather event this weekend, our goal at the Iowa Department of Transportation is to keep the roads as clear and drivable as possible for you, and to use our expertise and industry partnerships to provide the information you need to make smarter, safer travel decisions this winter.

Personnel updates for Nov. 22 to Dec. 5, 2024

December 13, 2024

Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau

ROADSIDE CHAT – BE MERRY & BRIGHT, TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS

December 13, 2024

Q: What did one Christmas tree say to the other?

A: You need to lighten up!

At the holidays, there’s magic and merriment in the air, and corny jokes too. But when it comes to traffic safety this time of year, making sure our travels are bright is no laughing matter. Turning on your headlights isn’t only about seeing your way over the valley and through the woods, but also ensuring that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can see you.

ROADSIDE CHAT – GRANDMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER - WHO WAS TEXTING -

December 6, 2024

In the humorous Christmas song, “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,” she’s a bit tipsy from enjoying too much eggnog on Christmas Eve. So, it’s easy to understand how Grandma could have stumbled into the path of Santa’s sleigh on her way home. As the story unfolds, it’s discovered that hoofprints found at the scene the next morning suggest she was the victim of a distracted sleigh driver. And now we know the real cause of the hit and run: Rudolph was texting and flying.