Category: Roadside Chat
Roadside Chat - Until people can read minds, use turn signals
January 6, 2023
You know where you’re going, but the other drivers on the road do not. It may be possible that sometime in the future, we’ll be able to read each other’s minds, but that’s not the case today. Until then, using your turn signal is a simple concept and a very powerful safety tool every driver has at their fingertips.
Roadside Chat - Want your life to last? Put safety first.
December 30, 2022
Are you one of those people who set New Year’s resolutions? Whether you are or are not, a good goal when you’re behind the wheel is to always arrive safely to wherever you’re going.
Sounds simple and of course you want to be safe and get to your destination. But how much do you actually think about what you can do to make sure that happens?
Roadside Chat - Keep in right lane unless passing ya' filthy animal
December 23, 2022
It’s the winter travel season and there are plenty of frustrations to go around. If you’re on a multi-lane road, one of those frustrations might appear when slower drivers use the left lane.
Your safety isn’t an issue because of the lane you’re in, it’s how fast you’re going compared to other traffic. Traffic safety professionals like us call this the “speed differential,” which is just a fancy way to say that if traffic is not going at about the same speed. When this happens there is more risk of crashes.
Roadside Chat - Yippie Ki Yay for motor truckers - give them space
December 16, 2022
This time of year, it seems like we’re all in a rush to get somewhere. For some, that somewhere is a shopping destination. “If you bought it, a truck brought it” was a line from a movie, but it rings true.
Professional drivers put their lives and livelihoods on our roads every day. The trucks are large and cannot maneuver as quickly as a passenger vehicle. Additionally, many of these trucks have equipment that does not allow them to go past a set speed.
Roadside Chat - I like to buckle. Buckling is my favorite.
December 9, 2022
Buckling your seat belt, no matter where you’re sitting in the vehicle, can save your life. It’s really just that simple.
Each year the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau conducts a survey of front-seat passengers to see how many are buckling up. In 2021, nearly 93 percent of front-seat passengers were buckled.
It sounds great that nearly all front-seat passengers are buckled until you also learn that of the 317 deaths on Iowa roads so far in 2022, 102, or nearly one-third, were unbuckled. Those are real people who won’t be there to celebrate holiday traditions with their family and friends such as watching iconic movies, like Elf, the inspiration for this week’s message.
Roadside Chat - Why is the road wet, Todd? Slow down, Margo!
December 2, 2022
Snow and ice season is here. At this time of year, Iowa roads can go from clear to wet to snowy to icy in a very short distance. Unless the weather is sunny and clear and pavement temperatures are above freezing, you should always be prepared for slick spots.
Roadside Chat - Relax, don't do it, when you really want to floor it
November 25, 2022
The holiday season can bring on a whole new level of stress. The joy of the season can sometimes be overcome by the pressure. If you’re rushing around to complete your holiday “to-do” list, don’t try to save time by driving aggressively.
Don’t think you’re an aggressive driver?
Roadside Chat - Flashing lights? Do what's right. Move over
November 18, 2022
To keep everyone safer on the road, every state across the country has enacted some form of a “Move Over” law to encourage motorists to either slow down or move over when they come up on a crash scene. National data shows that nearly 30 percent of people are unaware that these laws exist.
As we finish out Crash Responder Safety Week, here’s a reminder about Iowa’s “Move over” law. The law (Iowa Code 321.323) was enacted in 2002 to help protect responders and motorists. It was expanded in 2018 to include not only emergency vehicles but any vehicle alongside the road with flashing lights.
Roadside Chat - Vets protected you. Protect others by driving sober
November 11, 2022
Every Nov. 11 we take a step back to honor those who have served our country. Celebrations of Veterans Day often include ceremonies thanking those brave individuals who leave their homes and families to protect our freedom.
While veterans have protected us from threats we may not always see, threats here at home are often much easier to combat. Drunk driving is one. If you’re going to be drinking, here are some basic tips to protect yourself and everyone else on the road.
Roadside Chat - Buck the trend. Eyes up, phone down
November 4, 2022
You see it everywhere, maybe even inside your own vehicle. Drivers are paying less and less attention to the road and more attention to their phones. As a driver, keeping your eyes on the road is always the safest option, but it’s even more important this time of year when deer are on the move.