Gravel Roads

slow down

- it will take longer to stop than on a paved road

- it's easier to skid when turning

Drive-Ride

dust
if you can't see another vehicle in front of you

- put more space between you and the other vehicle

- allow for unexpected changes in other vehicle speed or direction

loose gravel
often builds up on sides of rural roads

- if tire enters loose gravel, steering control may be at risk

- loose gravel can pull you off the road if speed is too fast for conditions

source: Iowa DOT - Rural road crashes - they're preventable

at a snail's pace in the people's place

A lot of people don't realize the importance of speed when traveling through intersections, especially intersections where people frequent.

I was getting off work traveling down a very popular road where there are a lot of family homes and usually children out and about. I noticed a car driving a little too fast approaching the intersection and glanced to my left to see a ball fly into the street. I felt a lump in my throat as I imagined what was to come.

Luckily the little boy knew not to run in to the street after his toy because at the pace the car was going, there was no way either could have stopped in time.

Rural Roads

Drive-Ride

Following distances on rural roads:

- 2 seconds on state roads
- 3 seconds or more for rural paved roads
- 6 seconds or more on gravel or when road surface is wet or slippery

source: Iowa DOT - Rural road crashes
 - they're preventable

give space...a two seconds pace

I was driving down the interstate heading home after a long week of school. People seemed to be passing me like I wasn't moving. I tried to stay out of everyone's way but traffic was starting to back up and quickly was slowing down. I was surprised at how many people were slamming on their brakes. 

Suddenly, I noticed some orange cones and construction trucks approaching ahead. Then boom! The guy who passed me a few minutes before had been following another car too closely in the construction zone and caused a crash. If only he had given himself plenty of room, this all could have been avoided.

Personal-Community Narrative

This week we're exploring message and story. Stories can have a powerful impact on friends and peers, so it's important to think about the story we want to tell.

What do we want the reader to remember? Does the narrative have personal meaning or a community connection? Can we imagine ourselves in this situation?

The Power of Story