Message Monday - You are not a pumpkin. Don't drive smashed

October 29, 2018

Smashed, blotto, totaled, wasted, sloshed, under the table… those are all terms used to describe being drunk. Over the years most of us have come to realize that if you’re very drunk you shouldn’t drive. Your friends might take away your keys, call a sober ride or let you crash on a couch because they recognize the need to keep you from behind the wheel.

But what about other terms that might not invoke that sense of being out of control? Do you drive if you’re “just” buzzed or lit? Allowing legal driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 might give a false sense that you aren’t impaired after just a few drinks, even though the opposite may be true.

Two families are forever entwined by a DOT hero

October 25, 2018

When Nate Thayer, highway technician in the Martensdale shop, took the day off work last June 15 to go bow fishing, little did he realize a day on Lake Red Rock would rock his world.

Nate said the day started off with him playing with his four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. Then it was off to daycare for the kids and to the lake for Nate. “Usually my wife goes with me,” he said, “But that day she was busy, and I couldn’t find anyone else to go. It’s the first time in years I’ve gone fishing alone.”

#Engage – what questions will I be asked?

October 23, 2018

How engaged are you in your work at the Iowa DOT? Are you involved in, enthusiastic about, and committed to your work? It’s a simple question that can have a lot of impact on your wellbeing and our performance and capacity.  Whether you can’t wait to get to work every morning or you struggle to find the motivation to step into the building, your chance to make a difference in our work culture is coming soon.

Later this week we’ll all be asked to complete a survey as part of #Engage. As you’ve probably already heard, the survey is just a first step on our journey to get a feel for how engaged we currently are and find ways to make our workdays more enjoyable and productive. You’ll be asked to use a rating scale to score these questions. 

Director Mark Lowe said, “Participation in the survey is completely voluntary, but until we get a good grasp on how we are doing, it’s tough to move forward to get better. So, I encourage as many people as possible to participate.”

Message Monday - Teen driver and 2 passengers doubles crash risks

October 22, 2018

Do you remember the freedom you felt the first time you got behind the wheel of a car with no adult supervision? For many teens, turning 16, grabbing the car keys and picking up a few friends to cruise around town is a rite of passage, but one that can be deadly.

While Iowa kids can get a permit to drive with an adult at age 14 and a minor school license at 14 ½, many kids still lack adequate experience behind the wheel to know how to handle many situations once they start driving on their own at age 16. Throwing in the distractions of a couple of passengers on top of that inexperience is a recipe for disaster.

Message Monday - I'm the boss. My car won't move till we're buckled

October 15, 2018

Who is the boss of your vehicle? When you’re driving, you are.

Every good boss wants the best for the people under his/her control. When you’re the boss in your vehicle, you should want the best for your passengers, even if your good intentions aren’t well received.

Iowans do a pretty good job of buckling up in the front seat with about 92 percent compliance. It’s the folks in the back that may not realize the importance of buckling up. While seat belt use is mandatory in the back seat for anyone under age 18, adults don’t often understand why the backseat buckle is so important.

Personnel Updates for Sept. 21 – Oct. 4, 2018

October 12, 2018

Information provided by the Office of Employee Services