Iowa DOT finding new ways to reverse wrong way driving trend

July 16, 2021

Imagine you are sitting at a stop sign on a one-way road when all of a sudden another vehicle, like the pickup in the photo, turns beside you and is headed the wrong way down the road. You are likely flooded with emotions like panic, worry, and fear for the safety of that driver and anyone who might be traveling on the road behind you. It turns out that drivers get confused and go the wrong direction down Iowa highways quite often. While most wrong-way drivers realize their mistakes and turn around before anything bad happens, each year there are dozens of wrong-way drivers who cause crashes, injuries, or even death for themselves or others on the road.

Iowa DOT and first responders partnering with industry to gain better understanding of livestock-related crashes

June 24, 2021

It’s not unusual to travel down an Iowa interstate alongside a semi loaded with livestock or poultry. Easy access to world-class transportation and an abundance of corn and soybeans grown here make Iowa ideally suited for raising these animals. What we don’t often see, but can be a real issue, is the aftermath when one of these livestock trucks crashes, tying up a busy highway for hours, delaying your trip and increasing the risk of secondary crashes in the area.

Subtle changes will make getting around Des Moines metro safer

June 21, 2021

Big changes like adding lanes of traffic or building a new bridge get lots of attention. While those types of projects get the spotlight, many smaller improvements taking place, especially in the Des Moines area, are geared toward helping you get where you need to go more safely, reliably, and efficiently. Look for these tweaks from the Iowa Department of Transportation on your upcoming travels around the Des Moines metro.

Highway Helper program keeps Iowans moving in four metro areas

April 29, 2021

This week we are focusing on the safety of our workers in work zones and getting you through those areas without incident. However, work zones aren’t the only dangerous place to be on the roadway.

A stalled vehicle may not be viewed as a major safety hazard. But the Iowa DOT conducted a three-year study and found that 759 crashes occurred near or with stalled/abandoned vehicles. These crashes resulted in 16 fatalities and 249 injuries. 

No one leaves on a trip expecting their vehicle to have a breakdown or be involved in a crash. Being stranded on the side of the road, especially a busy interstate in a metro area can rattle even the most seasoned traveler and become as shown above can be a major safety hazard for both you and your fellow travelers. So if you find yourself on the side of the road in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Council Bluffs, or Quad City metro areas, you just might find one of our Highway Helpers coming to assist you.

Traveling in Iowa? 511 has made some updates to help you through construction season and beyond

April 27, 2021

Whether you’re a master travel planner or just learning to navigate Iowa’s winter and construction travel seasons, Iowa’s hub for traveler information, www.511ia.org or the Iowa 511 app, is one tool to help you find the most reliable, up-to-date, traffic-related information in the state.

Iowa DOT addresses imminent road dangers head-on with light and sound

April 2, 2021

This time of year, our Iowa Department of Transportation maintenance crews turn their focus from plowing snow to making roadway repairs like patching potholes and painting. These activities often take our people out of their trucks on to the roadway, dangerously close to speeding traffic.

The sound and vibration of cars and trucks whizzing by you at 70+ miles per hour is something we learn to live with as we get the job done, but the fear of being hit by an inattentive or speeding driver is real and it takes a toll.