2011 was one of Waterloo’s worst years. Seven people were killed and many were severely injured in seven fatal accidents at random locations. These many deaths have not happened in almost 10 years. Six out of seven were single vehicle crashes. Only one happened at an intersection where two cars collided. About half of the deaths involved alcohol and drugs. Among the fatal crashes were a motorcycle passenger, a pedestrian, and a tractor driver. One fatality was due to a diabetic attack. Almost all of the deaths happened at non-intersection random locations. Six out of seven accidents involved only one vehicle. We are well into the 21st century and we die of such tragic preventable sudden deaths. What is happening to us as a society? What is causing all these deaths? Are we over-confident? Are we inattentive? Do we need more traffic safety education? Are we not aware of the dangers? Alcohol? Are traffic safety campaigns mis-directed? When fatal crashes are single-vehicles happening at random locations the burden lays almost entirely on the drivers’ shoulders.
This is our latest traffic safety billboard advertisement. Billboards have been part of Drive Safe Cedar Valley campaign for several years. Your suggestions and ideas for a billboard ad will be appreciated.
We are frequently asked about the meaning of a Red Right Arrow traffic signal indication. Some people mistakenly think they can make a full stop and then proceed carefully if there is no conflicting traffic. A Red Right Arrow means turns on red are not allowed. Drivers must wait until the red arrow indication is off to make their right turn. The only exception is where there is a sign saying that right turn on red is allowed. This is different than the solid ball red light. A solid red ball means right turners can make a right turn on red, unless there is a sign prohibiting it.
| INTERSECTION |
| US 218 (Washington) & W. 11th St |
| Universtity Ave & S. Main St |
| US 63 & Washington St |
| US 218 (Washington) & W. 9th St |
| E. 5th St & Frankiln St |
| Mitchelle Ave & La Porte Rd |
| Williston Ave & Baltimore St* |
| Williston Ave & W. 9th St* |
| US 218 Southbound Off-Ramp & US 63* |
| US 218 (Washington) & Williston Ave (W. 18th St)* |
| University Ave & Progress Ave* |
| US 218 (Washington) and Hawthorne Ave* |
Intersections marked with * have already been improved or are planned for improvements.
Soon a new type of pedestrian signals will be activated on East Orange Road by Hawkeye Community College campus. These signals for vehicles remain blank until someone pushes the pedestrian button. When the signals are flashing red and pedestrians are not crossing, vehicles can go after they have made a full stop. Drivers see the indications shown below.
MEANINGS OF PEDESTRIAN HAWK SIGNAL INDICATIONS
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BLANK
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FLASHING YELLOW
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STEADY YELLOW
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STEADY RED
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FLASHING RED
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 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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NOT ACTIVATED
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SLOW DOWN
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PREPARE TO STOP
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STOP
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STOP, THEN GO IF NO PEDESTRIAN IS CROSSING
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Airline Highway & Logan Avenue (US 63)
Fletcher Avenue & W. 4th Street
US 218 & W. 11th Street
US 218 & W. 9th Street
Hammond Avenue & San Marnan Drive
Sergeant Road (US 63) & Fletcher Avenue
University Avenue & Ansborough Avenue
Sergeant Road (US 63) & University Avenue
Williston Avenue & Baltimore Street
US 63 and Washington Street
US 218 Off-Ramp and US 63
Days are becoming shorter. Sadly Cedar Falls and Waterloo both have experienced fatal pedestrian-car crashes in recent years. Most of our area fatalities have been during dark hours of the day. Some have involved alcohol. Alcohol impairs a pedestrian just like it impairs a driver. Pedestrian and bicyclist must help others see them. Wear bright, reflective, and even fluorescent colors. Wear safety retro-reflective gear. Carry something bright and even a light if possible. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6. Mornings will be darker. Don’t walk close to the edge of street with your back to traffic.
Lives may have been ruined at the intersection of Hess Road and Shaulis Road last Friday. Alcohol might have been involved. According to Waterloo Police Department web site a young driver was charged with driving while intoxicated, running a stop sign, and other violations. This driver ran into another car. The victim was transported to Covenant Medical Center, and then transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment. Traffic safety is a matter of life and death and must be taken seriously.
Too many needless deaths and injuries are cause by traffic accidents. Hopes, dreams, and lives can easily be ruined in a traffic crash. I was terrified when I recently witnessed an incident on Highway 218 in Waterloo. An SUV intentionally turned in front of another car to punish it for going too slow. At 65 mph this could have ended up in a disaster and many people, including myself, could have been injured. We need to improve our driving culture. We need to reduce losses and sufferings to make our area a better place to live. A car crash can ruin our lives. Many of the deaths and injuries caused by traffic crashes can be avoided with better driver behavior.
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