(Undated)– Warm temperatures expected over the weekend will likely bring out a high number of walkers, bicycle riders, and motorcyclists. Trooper Kevin Krull with the Iowa State Patrol says that means we all have to be more alert on the roads…
“We’ve already killed five people that are pedestrians in Iowa this year already. When I look back at the numbers, we’re killing well over 20 a year. I’m looking at the numbers and you’re looking at 17 as the low in 2022, otherwise we’re hitting that 30 mark a couple of times and in the 20’s, so. We’ve got to start doing a better job at looking for pedestrians because they’re out there and they’re sharing the road and a message to those out there walking, make sure we’re walking facing the traffic. Be off of the side of the traffic as far as you possibly can, and wear that bright colored clothing. Be seen. This is not a time to blend in. Like I told the kids in the program, cat burglars are these people that are doing the burglaries you see in the movies even. They’re wearing the black clothing because they don’t want to be seen. Well we want to be seen when we’re on the roads so the drivers have the opportunities to make those changes. I would say that goes hand-in-hand with bicycles. The only difference is that bicycles are going to go with traffic but let’s be looking for them and making sure we’re doing our due diligence to avoid those collisions with them.”
He says motorcycles are joining other vehicles on the road, too…
“Already this year nine motorcycle fatalities, so again, let’s start looking for that specific motorcycle whether it’s the orange one or the red one or maybe you’re looking a little more in depth and you’re looking for that Soft Tail that’s out there. But if we’re looking for that specific motorcycle we’ll see everyone that’s on the road.”
Krull says the best advice is to expect the other drivers to make mistakes, and plan in your head what you would do if they did.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
