Crash Numbers

Iowa fatal traffic crash numbers have decreased over the last year. Read about the factors that may have contributed to the decrease (KCCI website).

A daily traffic fatality count is available from the Iowa DOT. (pdf)

Hands-Free Driving

June 2013 report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that measures cognitive distraction while driving.

www.aaafoundation.org/measuring-cognitive-distractions

Pedalcyclists

New "Bicyclists and Other Cyclists" Traffic Safety Facts (2011 Data) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (pdf)

Pedalcyclists - bicyclists and riders of two-wheel nonmotorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals.

In 2011, 48,000 pedalcyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The highest injury rate occurred in the 16-20 age group.

Seat Belt Use

In 2011, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey showed seat belt use was 84% and seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives among passenger vehicle occupants age 5 and older.
Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts - 2011 Data (pdf)

In 2012, the Iowa Seat Belt Use Survey showed Iowa's overall seat belt use rate was 92.38%.
Source: Iowa DOT (pdf)

Slow Down, It's Summer

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the annual economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is $40.4 billion.

Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts - 2010 Data (pdf)

Summer Break

The percentage of drivers 16 to 24 visibly using hand-held devices while driving increased from 1.5% in 2010 to 3.7% in 2011. (Data from nationwide probability-based observational survey.)

Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts - Driver Electronic Device Use in 2011 (pdf)

2011 Commute Minutes

Average commute time for all full-time American workers
= 25.5 minutes each way.

For general commuters:

• 79.9% drove alone
• 10.1% carpooled
• 5.3% took public transit
• 4.8% rode a bike, walked/other

In the U.S. Census Bureau's Out-of-State and Long Commutes: 2011 (pdf) report, 8.1% of full-time workers made long commutes (60 minutes or more each way). Of the long commuters:

• 61.1% drove alone
• 12.9% carpooled
• 23% took public transit
• 2.9% rode a bike, walked/other

3.7% of workers living in Iowa had commutes of 60 minutes or longer.

600,000 full-time workers in the U.S. are megacommuters (90 minutes each way over a distance of at least 50 miles).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Newsroom

Great friends, great times, and great results.

Wear your seat belt - Seriously, buckle up.

Watch your speed.

If the light is red - STOP!

Your Plan - Choices

If there is one constant in our world, it is change. If you don't, or are unwilling to adapt to what's going on around you, you are likely to make choices without enough information and can expect to see different outcomes than you want. Having a plan, whether short or long term can help you get where you want to go.

If you surround yourself with people that respect you, your decisions, and make good choices themselves, you won't be tempted to take a dangerous detour.

drawing unity from a group

If you choose to be a leader, you set the tone for your life and those who follow you. Is there only one kind of leader? What characteristics make a good leader?

You cannot force other people to lead, but you can encourage people to find good leaders to follow.

A good leader will promote collaboration, give others ownership and independence, recognize individual contributions, and celebrate group accomplishments.

No Texts, No Calls, Just Drive

We have a message and a design!

Texting takes your eyes off the road an average of 5 seconds at a time. At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of a football field without looking at the road!
Source: Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

Degrees of Driving

In 2011, Iowa had 679 traffic crashes resulting from a driver distracted by a phone or other device. Source: Iowa DOT (pdf)

The experience and ability we acquire and the choices we make while driving can have an impact on many people. The impact can be immediate, the person we crashed into, or it can have a ripple effect.

It's what we do together...

When people work on a project together, friendships form, skills are developed, and a new career path may be found. A campus or community project can put you in touch with people you may not otherwise meet or opportunities you may not otherwise have.

Think about your campus and community, what issues need to be addressed? What would you like to do? What would benefit the most people?