Transportation Matters fOR Iowa

Category: What Drives You Iowa

Roadside Chat - Words can do harm. Phone down. Enjoy the silence.

Roadside Chat - Words can do harm. Phone down. Enjoy the silence.

May 26, 2023

5-26 words can do harmWhen you’re behind the wheel, words on your phone screen are very unnecessary. The fear of missing out on information can be controlled while you are driving but it’s up to you to make the conscious decision to put your phone down. Value your life and the lives of those on the road above what may be said over a text message or social media post.

Roadside Chat - Fast & furious? Nope. Slow down & smile

Roadside Chat - Fast & furious? Nope. Slow down & smile

May 19, 2023

5-19 fast and furiousAre you Iowa nice when you’re behind the wheel? Not all drivers are going to do everything you expect them to do. If you’re sharing the road with someone whose driving isn’t up to your standards, you need to be prepared to let it go and just move on.

Roadside Chat - Slow your sizzle. We're bacon you to watch your speed.

Roadside Chat - Slow your sizzle. We're bacon you to watch your speed.

May 12, 2023

5-12 slow your sizzleWe aren’t too proud to beg. PLEASE slow down on Iowa roads!

We know food is a great motivator, but we want you to be safe as you head to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival or any other activity this weekend.

Last year May ranked second highest in the number of fatalities on Iowa highways. Let’s change that statistic this year by obeying the speed limit and driving chill. Other aggressive behaviors to avoid include:

Roadside Chat - Born to be wild? You can still be an easy rider.

Roadside Chat - Born to be wild? You can still be an easy rider.

May 5, 2023

5-5 easy riderFor some people, there’s nothing quite like taking to the open road on a motorcycle. Riding can give you an adrenaline rush that releases “feel good” hormones called endorphins in the body. Some riders refer to the experience as “pure joy.”

The cost of a motorcycle is typically less than a car and they use less gas, which makes them an economical transportation option.

Those are a few of the positive aspects of life on two wheels. Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we also need to talk about the dangers.

Roadside Chat - Crush the candy another time. Eyes on the road.

Roadside Chat - Crush the candy another time. Eyes on the road.

April 28, 2023

4-28 crush the candyPlaying games on your phone can be a good way to relieve stress and pass the time. Playing games, or doing anything else on your phone, while you are driving can be deadly.

There are three main types of distractions behind the wheel.

Roadside Chat - That's not why it's called a

Roadside Chat - That's not why it's called a "high" way. Drive sober

April 21, 2023

4-21 high wayWhat do you think of when you hear the term “impaired driving?” For many of us, the first thing that comes to mind is drinking and then getting behind the wheel. But with more than 20 states around the country now legalizing recreational marijuana, driving high now frequently enters into the impaired driving discussion.

Roadside Chat - Organ donors & seat belts both save lives

Roadside Chat - Organ donors & seat belts both save lives

April 14, 2023

4-14 organ donorsOne simple click of your seat belt can save your life in a crash. Another simple thing you can do to save lives is mark “yes” on the organ and tissue donation question when you renew your driver’s license.

At the Iowa Department of Transportation, we work closely with the Iowa Donor Network to encourage organ and tissue donation. When you answer “yes” to the question about organ and tissue donation, our systems take it from there, communicating your willingness to be a donor to the Iowa Donor Network system.

Roadside Chat - What drives you to drive sober?

Roadside Chat - What drives you to drive sober?

April 7, 2023

4-7 what drives you to drive soberIt’s just a few beers after work or a night out with friends. No big deal, right? What impact would it have on your friends and family if you didn’t make it back home?

Even a little bit of alcohol can impact your reaction time. This chart from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows how just a little alcohol can impact your driving.

Roadside Chat – Hawks are in the Final Four, buckle up, baby!

Roadside Chat – Hawks are in the Final Four, buckle up, baby!

March 31, 2023

3-31 final 4 hawksWhile most Iowa teams may not have had the March Madness showing we hoped for, the Iowa Hawkeye Women have powered their way into the Final Four. Their path to get to tonight’s game took a lot of small moments that included discipline, repetition, and the formation of good habits to secure their success.

Roadside Chat - What drives you to slow down and drive chill?

Roadside Chat - What drives you to slow down and drive chill?

March 24, 2023

3-24 what drives you to drive chillTake it easy, simmer down, ease off, chill – these are all terms that mean the same thing – RELAX. When you’re behind the wheel and other drivers aren’t doing what you expect, it’s easy to get aggressive and do things you know you shouldn’t do.

Speeding is something you might do to get past that annoying driver, but there are other aggressive behaviors that are also dangerous.

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