Roadside Chat - Wait, you work here? Slow down in work zones

April 22, 2022

Thousands of your family members, friends, and neighbors are hard at work to make Iowa’s roads the safest, most efficient system possible. But to get that work done, they need your help.

When you see a “Work zone ahead” sign, pay extra attention to what is coming up. Work zones come in all shapes and sizes and the traffic patterns can change from day to day. Since rear-end crashes are the most common type of crash in a work zone, watch for the traffic ahead of you, slow down, and leave plenty of space between vehicles in case there is a sudden stop ahead.

Personnel updates for April 1, 2022 to April 14, 2022

April 21, 2022

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Roadside Chat - Taxes can wait. So can that text.

April 15, 2022

Do you put things off until the last minute? If so, this is your year to put off filing your federal taxes for another few days. Traditionally, you would be required to file your federal income taxes by April 15. This year, the Internal Revenue Service is closed on April 15 in observance of Emancipation Day, a locally recognized holiday in the District of Columbia. Instead, your taxes are due Monday, April 18 allowing you a few extra days to get those forms submitted.

Personnel updates for March 18 to March 31, 2022

April 8, 2022

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Roadside Chat - Driving is like baseball. Get home...safe!

April 8, 2022

Baseball is often called America’s pastime. Road trips are another spring/summer activity enjoyed by many. But unlike baseball where a runner is simple “out” if the baserunning isn’t successful, driving errors can cause much more serious consequences.

Last year in Iowa, 355 people lost their lives in vehicle crashes. Here are four simple things you can do behind the wheel to help ensure a safer trip.

April 2022 Service awards

April 1, 2022

Information provided by the Budget and Business Systems Bureau

Roadside Chat - If you text & drive, today's your day. Fool

April 1, 2022

According to the National Safety Council, 94 percent of drivers support a texting while driving ban, yet 75 percent of drivers text while driving. When this behavior kills thousands each year, people justifiably want to know why drivers persist in this dangerous habit.

The NSC gives several reasons why people have such a hard time stowing the phone when they are driving.

Roadside Chat - Cars can stop quickly. Trains can't.

March 25, 2022

Even in an emergency, a train can take a mile or more to stop. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the United States, someone is struck at a highway-rail grade crossing every four hours. Driving around gates is not only illegal, it could be deadly. If you try to beat a train, chances are, you’ll lose.

Personnel updates for March 4 to March 17, 2022

March 24, 2022

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Roadside Chat - Who needs luck when you can buckle up

March 18, 2022

In some ways, the majority of our kids are lucky because they are often oblivious to the dangers they face. As a parent, life experience has likely taught you to watch out for and protect your child from those dangers.  

But you didn’t bring your baby home with a set of instructions or a rulebook that you could refer to. As your child grows older, your decisions about their safety sometimes come into conflict with what your child wants. One of those times might be when your child asks to ditch the booster seat and ride with just a seat belt.