Transportation Matters fOR Iowa

Category: Roadside Chat

Roadside Chat – Broke down? Walk amuck, you could get struck.

Roadside Chat – Broke down? Walk amuck, you could get struck.

October 4, 2024

10-4 Walk AmuckDid 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.

Roadside Chat – Using your blinker. Very demure. Very mindful.

Roadside Chat – Using your blinker. Very demure. Very mindful.

September 27, 2024

9-27-VeryDemure-VeryMindfulThe whole world seems to be talking about being “demure” and “mindful.” But what does that actually mean? According to Jools Lebron the TikToker who started the trending phrase, it refers to “a refined, subtle elegance in various contexts.” What could be more refined and elegant than helping others sharing the road with you understand where you are going by using your turn signal?

Roadside Chat – Jolene, Jolene I'm begging you to buckle your kids

Roadside Chat – Jolene, Jolene I'm begging you to buckle your kids

September 20, 2024

9-20-Jolene-Jolene-BuckleIn Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit she famously begs a beauty named Jolene to not take her man away from her. Much like Jolene, the road can be a cruel mistress taking those we love away from us by not practicing safe behaviors.

One simple thing you can do to keep those you love safe from the dangers of the road is make sure that your kids, or anyone in your vehicle for that matter, are safely buckled, every trip, every time.

Roadside Chat – Friday the 13th – Avoid ladders and speeding

Roadside Chat – Friday the 13th – Avoid ladders and speeding

September 13, 2024

9-13-Friday13In Western superstition, a Friday that falls on the thirteenth day of the month is considered bad luck. There are many stories about the origin of the superstition and a whole franchise showcases the bad luck of the characters that appear in the movies.

For many, Friday the thirteenth is a day where you should not tempt fate and avoid things like walking under ladders, opening an umbrella inside, or placing a mirror in a place where it could break. Other risky behavior that is smart to avoid any day of the month is speeding behind the wheel.

 

Roadside Chat – Cyclone or Hawkeye? Both wear helmets – just sayin.'

Roadside Chat – Cyclone or Hawkeye? Both wear helmets – just sayin.'

September 6, 2024

9-6-Cyclone-HawkeyeThis weekend Iowa’s annual CyHawk series takes place in Iowa City. Whether you are rooting for the team in cardinal and gold or the one in black and gold, one piece of equipment that is consistent on both sides of the field is a helmet.

Roadside Chat – Drive High – Get OWI

Roadside Chat – Drive High – Get OWI

August 30, 2024

It doesn’t matter what term you use — high, stoned, or wasted. It also doesn’t matter if the substance was legally or illegally obtained. Getting behind the wheel after using any type of substance that can impair you is extremely dangerous. In every U.S. state and territory, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs — no exceptions.

8-30-Drive-High-Get-OWIAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here are some ways that substances can impair your ability to drive.

  • Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times.
  • Cocaine and methamphetamine can make drivers more aggressive and reckless.
  • Using two or more drugs at the same time, including alcohol, can amplify the impairing effects of each drug a person has consumed.
  • Some prescription and over-the-counter medicinescan cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects. Read and follow all warning labels before driving, and note that warnings against “operating heavy machinery” include driving a vehicle.
Roadside Chat – Drive chill - be cool. Kids are back in school

Roadside Chat – Drive chill - be cool. Kids are back in school

August 23, 2024

8-23-Drive-Chill-Be-CoolToday marks the first day of school for many Iowa students. As kids and their parents settle back into their routines the roads might look a bit different than they did during the summer months. While most people think of encountering school traffic in the city, near schools, you need to be school-aware in residential areas and out in the country.

Even if you aren’t personally a part of the school traffic, you still need to be aware of the changes happening around you.

Roadside Chat – Chips & dips. Tailgating may add both to your car.

Roadside Chat – Chips & dips. Tailgating may add both to your car.

August 16, 2024

This weekend wraps up the Iowa State Fair which means tailgating season is right around the corner! A snack staple for tailgate parties is chips and dips. While delicious in your belly, they aren’t so great when they end up on your car.

8-16-Chips-and-DipsOne way to avoid chips and dips on your car is to leave the tailgating to football parking lots and keep it off the highway. Tailgating falls into the category of aggressive driving which according to AAA, also includes speeding in heavy traffic, cutting in front of another driver and then slowing down, running red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes without signaling, and blocking cars attempting to pass or change lanes.

Roadside Chat – Got fair fever? Eat a pork chop & buckle your ham.

Roadside Chat – Got fair fever? Eat a pork chop & buckle your ham.

August 9, 2024

8-09-PorkChopToday marks day number two of an Iowa tradition, the State Fair. According to the Fair’s website, “Fair Fever is contagious and only a prescription of Fair food, games, rides, competition, and over-the top entertainment will cure it.”

Roadside Chat – Track speed wins gold. Road speed wins a ticket.

Roadside Chat – Track speed wins gold. Road speed wins a ticket.

August 2, 2024

8-02-Track-and-FieldThe Olympics are in full swing and at the time of this writing America was in second place for the highest number of gold medals. This weekend’s schedule is filled with various track and field events where pushing for faster and faster speeds can win you a shot at a gold medal.

Unfortunately, speeding while behind the wheel will not earn you the same accolades. It could easily earn you a ticket or worse, have deadly consequences.

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