Spring is in the air and it is time for some spring safety tips.  I hate to sound redundant and I’ve addressed these safety tips before in my articles but I would like to express them again.  Last month I spoke about fog but these are a few other topics I would like to touch on. 

I have to at least mention to safely drive on our roads with the farmers itching to get into the fields in the next few weeks.  I have to believe when it warms up a little more there will be field work to do and you will see more farmers going to and from fields by roadway.  Please pay closer attention of slower traffic on the roadways and do not pass at an intersection.  Wait to pass until there is a clear vision of no oncoming vehicles. Let’s give the farmers a brake and be patient.  They are out there trying to make a living.

     Over the last few weeks we have had a few complaints on school bus violations.  I have spoken about this in the past but I would like readdress some pointers.  If someone passes a stopped school bus, the driver of the school bus is required by law to report this to law enforcement.  They have a special form they fill out and give to us.  The driver reports the description of the motor vehicle and its occupants along with a license plate if one is obtained.  If you are at a school bus stop and see this happen, please do the same and document all the information you saw and report it to your local law enforcement authorities.  We then turn around and are required by law to issue a citation to the driver of the vehicle that made the violation.  

          Please do not text and drive.  Do not look at Snap chat, Facebook, or any other social messaging apps on your phone or what your phone alerts you to while going down the road.  The place to do that is at home or please just park along the road.  It is not worth causing or getting involved in an accident because of this.  If it is too tempting, shut your phone off while you drive.  I do know some people that do this.  Even answering a phone call can be distractive enough to cause a wreck.

          And last but not least watch for deer.  This is not the “deer rut” season and you would not think deer would be moving, but with the farmers moving to the fields, they may be pushing them around.  A group of us just drove back from Oklahoma last week.  13 ½ hour drive with no problems until I got to Clayton County Iowa and had to brake three times for deer standing along the road. 

          Please use caution and let’s have a safe spring!             

And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me anytime, e-mail me at mtschirgi@claytoncountyia.gov, or stop by to see me.

Thanks and be safe,

Sheriff Mike Tschirgi