What drives you Iowa

What drives you Iowa “What Drives You,” is a public information campaign to help you make safer driving decisions.

🦃🚗 Traveling for Turkey Day? If you're hitting the road, check out the traveler information websites for the states arou...
11/24/2025

🦃🚗 Traveling for Turkey Day? If you're hitting the road, check out the traveler information websites for the states around us. And if you want to see the winter road conditions in those states, just flip on the "Regional Winter Road Condition" layer on the Iowa 511 mobile app or 511ia.org. Travel safely!

Illinois - www.gettingaroundillinois.com
Kansas - www.kandrive.gov
Minnesota - www.511mn.org
Missouri - https://traveler.modot.org/map/
Nebraska - www.511.nebraska.gov
South Dakota - www.sd511.org
Wisconsin - 511wi.gov

“The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round...round and round.” As students head back to classrooms acros...
08/22/2025

“The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round...round and round.”

As students head back to classrooms across Iowa next week, this song will be on the tip of our tongues. School buses carry our most precious cargo, and it’s illegal in every state to pass one while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.

When you’re approaching a school bus slowing down or stopping, you should stop at least 20-25 feet from the vehicle from either direction. And it’s not just the bus that you need to put eyes on. Children often wait several feet away from a bus and may cross the street to board or step off.

Here’s a refresher on bus lights and why you should never attempt to pass when you see them:

💛Yellow Flashing Lights: The bus is preparing to stop to load/unload children. Slow down and get stopped.

🍎Red Flashing Lights: These lights and extended stop-arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on/off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before you can proceed.

The way to school shouldn’t be in harm’s way, so be sure to also teach your children well on how to navigate the bus stop.

In 2025, in Iowa, 179 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of 12 since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 356 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=&_gl=1%2Av19azb%2A_gcl_au%2ANDAzMjU3MjEyLjE3NDg0Mzc3NjY.

🚌School starts very soon! And the wheels on the bus will go round and round, so here’s a little safety refresher:🟡 Yello...
08/12/2025

🚌School starts very soon! And the wheels on the bus will go round and round, so here’s a little safety refresher:
🟡 Yellow means slow.
🛑 Red means stop.
💪 Always stop when the stop-arm is out.
🛡️ Drive extra cautious and protect kids getting on/off the school bus.

If you're headed to the fair, we'd love to see you! We're in the Varied Industries building (space 762-764, along the so...
08/08/2025

If you're headed to the fair, we'd love to see you! We're in the Varied Industries building (space 762-764, along the south wall across from the University of Iowa booth).

Our booth has something for everyone. Take a turn at the model roundabout table, watch live rock sifting demos at the top of the hour and get an up close look at the materials used to build our transportation system, and mark your home sweet home on the transportation map.

As kids, road trips are when we learn how to convert gazillions of miles into hours, and how to gut out long drives with...
07/25/2025

As kids, road trips are when we learn how to convert gazillions of miles into hours, and how to gut out long drives with mom’s road games, dad’s jokes, sibling squabbles, snacks, and singing.

But the entertainment between pit stops waned and no matter the adventure, the most restless would lob that classic question over the front seat.

The answer was always the same, “No, not yet.” What that means in parent speak is no unbuckling because wearing our seat belts give everyone in the vehicle a fighting chance to survive a crash.

With road trips surging in popularity, a record number of Americans are choosing to drive to their vacation destination. Seat belts are a good idea on a marathon trip or a short errand.

Iowa’s child restraint law sets the tone and serves as a guideline for teaching safety in your vehicle:

* Set a good example using a seat belt on every trip.

* A child under one year old and weighing less than 20 lbs. must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.

* All children should be properly buckled up in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

The next time your little co-pilot pipes up with “Are we there yet?”, take a deep breath and smile. Then sing the reasons why seat belts matter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ptjRSVzp2c

Safety isn’t just a rule, it’s the best travel companion we’ve got. Enjoy the ride!

In 2025, in Iowa, 147 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of four since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=&_gl=1%2A1lai7o4%2A_gcl_au%2ANDAzMjU3MjEyLjE3NDg0Mzc3NjY.

We’ve all seen it – a driver’s head tipped down, a device in their hands, and a vehicle that drifts. When you pick up yo...
07/18/2025

We’ve all seen it – a driver’s head tipped down, a device in their hands, and a vehicle that drifts. When you pick up your phone to read or send a text, your entire focus is diverted away from the road. No text is worth a fatal crash.

Texting and driving is a bad habit to break. Our records show that law enforcement statewide have issued more than 1,400 warnings for violations of the Hands-Free Law since it went into effect on July 1.

Today, using your words is the new normal. You can take your hands out of the equation and increase your focus on the road with the right voice command tools and drive focus settings on your phone:

Ways To Stay Hands Free

*Bluetooth: Bluetooth devices like speakers, earpieces, or adapters let you go hands-free without wires.
*Auxiliary Cable: Connect your phone to the AUX jack to use voice commands or one-touch control, with audio through your car speakers.
*Vehicle Mount: Use a vent clip or cup holder mount to secure your phone. Then use voice commands.
*Speakerphone: Turn on speakerphone and set your phone in a secure spot to comply with hands-free laws.

How To Enable Drive Focus

iPhone:

1. Open “Settings”
2. Go to “Focus”
3. Selecting “Driving”
4. Customize “Driving Focus”

Android:

1. Open “Settings”
2. Find “Modes and Routines” or a similar term
3. Select “Driving”: Find and tap on “Driving” mode

In 2025, in Iowa, 143 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of 10 since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 356 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=&_gl=1%2Ap2yiem%2A_gcl_au%2ANDAzMjU3MjEyLjE3NDg0Mzc3NjY.

07/04/2025

We wish you a fun day of celebration and safe travels wherever your plans take you!

Happy Independence Day! It's a time for parades, barbecues, fireworks, and spending time with loved ones as we celebrate...
07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day! It's a time for parades, barbecues, fireworks, and spending time with loved ones as we celebrate our great nation’s 249th birthday. It bookends a week that started with Iowa becoming the 31st state to enact the Hands-Free Driving Law. The time has come for Iowans and visitors to put down the phone and dial into eliminating distractions from our driving.

You can’t say we haven’t shown our hand. A 2024 Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau survey of more than 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, while 50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand.

The legislation prohibits drivers from using electronic communication devices while driving – unless the device is used hands-free. As you hear freedom ring today, there’s a safer way to answer it.

What actions are prohibited:
*Holding a phone in any way.
*Manually scrolling, typing, or interacting with phones.
*Entering an address into GPS while driving.
*Streaming videos or making video calls – even with voice commands.
*Viewing texts, videos, or social media.
*Calling, texting, or dialing unless using hands-free or voice activation.

This means voice activation is the new normal, and there are several options to help you be hands-free: phone mounts, auxiliary cables, speakerphone features, Bluetooth, and other voice command systems.

What counts as a device:
*Cell phone
*Laptops
*PDAs
*Tablets
*Gaming devices

We encourage you to get familiar with the new law and consider what hands-free options will work best for you and your vehicle. You can find distracted driving resources at DriveSmartIowa.com.

In 2025, in Iowa, 126 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of seven since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=&_gl=1%2A1vua9pd%2A_gcl_au%2ANDAzMjU3MjEyLjE3NDg0Mzc3NjY.

Still looking for Father’s Day gift ideas? The clock is ticking, so here’s a thought if your daddio likes to kick the ti...
06/13/2025

Still looking for Father’s Day gift ideas? The clock is ticking, so here’s a thought if your daddio likes to kick the tires and dispense vehicle maintenance advice – even if you didn’t ask. Invite him for a quality Sunday drive and show him that your tire pressure is right on the mark because you’ve honestly been listening all these years.

Dads know that driving on tires with the proper pressure directly impacts tire durability, your safety, and your fuel consumption. Every vehicle has its own specifications for tire pressure, but most fall between 28 and 36 PSI (pounds per square inch).

And remember, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you need to measure tire pressure when the tires are cold, or be sure to compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires.

While new cars and trucks generally come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, these steps can help you extend the life and safety of tires on any vehicle:

1. Locate your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure PSI on the “Tire and Loading Information Labels” on the driver's side door edge or in the owner's manual.

2. Check the pressure of all tires, including your spares with a tire pressure gauge.

3. If tire pressure is too high, slowly release air by pressing on the tire valve stem with the edge of your gauge. If too low, add the pounds of air pressure for proper inflation.

4. Check all tires to ensure they have the same air pressure (except in cases where front and rear tires are required to have different PSI).

Be tire wise like dear old dad to keep you and your family safe.

In 2025, in Iowa, 106 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of eight since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=

When Broadway’s “Hamilton” wonderkid Lin-Manuel Miranda landed on the White House Poetry Jam invite list with VIP rapper...
06/06/2025

When Broadway’s “Hamilton” wonderkid Lin-Manuel Miranda landed on the White House Poetry Jam invite list with VIP rappers, musicians, and poets, many in the room laughed, “rap and Alexander Hamilton, really?” But they soon leaned in, snapping fingers to a contagious beat as he nailed his shot performing the opening number of his smash hit musical. Mic drop.

Hamilton’s fight for independence and vision to build a new republic were noble ambitions. And he refused to throw away his shot to make them a reality. That should inspire us to use seat belts every trip – they’re our one shot to survive a crash.

Seat belts are our safest defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers, yet there are many myths surrounding them. See if you know the difference between the myths vs. the real deal: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts

* If your car has air bags, you still need to wear your seat belt?
* Seat belts can trap you in a fire or under water?
* On short trips or traveling fast, seat belts aren’t needed?
* Your seat belt can hurt you in a crash?
* You’re safer in a pickup truck, so seat belts are unnecessary?
* It’s not as essential for guys to wear seat belts – they’re least at risk?

Always play it safe and don’t throw away your shot.

In 2025, in Iowa, 98 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of six since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=

Bicyclists are not easy to spot – especially youth riders. The average youth bike height is four feet and length is only...
05/30/2025

Bicyclists are not easy to spot – especially youth riders.

The average youth bike height is four feet and length is only 20-24” often making their little outlines invisible against a backdrop of intersections, vehicles, trees, and structures.

That’s why we should steer our nice toward looking twice during bike season.
Young riders are even harder to see if they ride in your blind spot and don’t wear bright clothing or helmets.

But as motorists, it’s our responsibility to continuously scan the horizon and watch for children who are unpredictable pedalers and dart without warning.

Since 2021, in Iowa, there have been 24 bicycle fatalities. These incidents typically occur at intersections where we often overlook bikes or fail to yield the right-of-way. By adopting these good driving practices, we can keep the roads safer for kids as they learn to navigate:

• Look Twice at Intersections: Before turning or crossing, scan the area from every direction to ensure the path is clear with no late oncoming bicycles.
• Maintain Safe Following Distances: Bicycles can stop more quickly than passenger vehicles and make unpredictable movements.
• Stay Alert: Avoid distractions like using your phone, eating, and loud audio.
• Give Them Space: Give bikes at least three feet of space when passing.
• Be Patient & Slow Down: You won’t lose significant time on your trip by doing the right things.

No matter when schools take breaks, let’s be more vigilant as we share the roads with more kids on two wheels.

In 2025, in Iowa, 92 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of seven since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 355 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=

Are you hitting the road this long weekend to see friends and family, or to visit loved ones’ gravesites? You’re not alo...
05/23/2025

Are you hitting the road this long weekend to see friends and family, or to visit loved ones’ gravesites? You’re not alone.

AAA predicts a record-breaking 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period.

But work out your trip logistics before you go. A crash is 20 times more likely when you’re texting, so don’t let it be the reason you or someone else needs a cemetery plot prematurely.

At a time when we also pay tribute to our nation’s brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, Memorial Day weekend should be a time of reflection, remembrance, and relaxation. But the reality is it’s one of the deadliest weekends on our nation’s roads. Phone distractions are a leading risk.

A recent study found that we’re still treating our vehicles like phone booths while enroute to our destinations:

* 48% of kids ages 12-17 reported being in a car while the driver was texting.
* 27% of adults admitted to sending or receiving text messages while driving.

This weekend, you can respect the dearly departed without ignoring the living. Return that text and confirm those plans, but do it when you’re in “Park” or put your phone away. The road is no place for a memorial to poor choices.

In 2025, in Iowa, 85 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of five since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 356 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, visit the daily fatality report: https://iowadot.gov/media/7221/download?inline=&_gl=1%2Ar01o5j%2A_gcl_au%2AMjEwNTE0OTk3NC4xNzQwNjA3ODAw

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