Personal Injury Law

Intersection collision claims another bikers life in Iowa. Iowa DOT needs to come up with a better plan.

By Steve Lombardi

I see that Craig Kelley of Omaha has posted about the latest motorcycle wreck in Iowa. After reading his post I wondered why it takes so long for the Iowa DOT to approve a stop sign being added to an intersection. I'm not criticizing the Iowa DOT; I'm asking a question our legislature should be answering. The intersection collision between Bartley's GMC Yukon and the 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by Boeck surely demonstrates that a higher priority needs to be put on problem intersections in Iowa. We can't make motorcycles any more visible then they already are. Motorcycle riders are being killed by crashes with motorists that just don't see them. Awareness is only part of the problem. The Harlan Newspaper reported on this Elk Horn man dying in the collision previously described.

    The intersection where the accident occurred has been on the radar screen for increased safety due to a high incidence of traffic and schools in the area. 
    The City of Harlan had petitioned the Iowa Department of Transportation last year for a four-way stop at the intersection, as well as decreased speeds leading up to the intersection from the north, and between Cyclone Ave. and the Highway 44 corner to the south. Currently speeds coming from the north are 55 miles per hour, and 45 miles per hour between Cyclone Ave. and Highway 44, except during the beginning and ending of the school day. Last week, the city received notice from the DOT that it had been approved for a four-way stop at the intersection, and DOT crews were on scene a few days before the accident surveying the intersection for where to put stop signs and power to flashing lights.

And not to pick on the Iowa DOT, but the same could be said about bridge repairs and maintenance. Iowa DOT controls 3,992 bridges. There are more public road miles in Iowa than interstate miles in the entire 50 states. Iowa ranks 12th in the nation in number of miles of roadway. There are approximately 39 miles of road for every 1,000 people. 2,765 bridge structures in Iowa are made primarily of wood.

To all you bikers out there - Be careful, safe and keep your eyes opened. They aren't seeing your bike they are too busy being on their cell phones talking or text messaging.

Like Craig I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on May 24, 2008 (boomark / email).