An Assessment of Traffic Safety in Urban Deer Herd Management Zones in Iowa, 2010

Many states are striving to keep their deer population to a sustainable and controllable level while maximizing public safety. In Iowa, measures to control the deer population include annual deer hunts and special deer herd management plans in urban areas. While these plans may reduce the deer population, traffic safety in these areas has not been fully assessed. Using deer population data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and data on deer-vehicle crashes and deer carcass removals from the Iowa Department of Transportation, the authors examined the relationship between deer-vehicle collisions, deer density, and land use in three urban areas in Iowa that have deer management plans in place (Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Iowa City) over the period 2002 to 2007. First, a comparison of deer-vehicle crash counts and deer carcass removal counts was conducted at the county level. Further, the authors estimated econometric models to investigate the factors that influence the frequency and severity of deer-vehicle crashes in these zones. Overall, the number of deer carcasses removed on the primary roads in these counties was greater than the number of reported deervehicle crashes on those roads. These differences can be attributed to a number of reasons, including variability in data reporting and data collection practices. In addition, high rates of underreporting of crashes were found on major routes that carry high volumes of traffic. This study also showed that multiple factors affect deer-vehicle crashes and corresponding injury outcomes in urban management zones. The identified roadway and non-roadway factors could be useful for identifying locations on the transportation system that significantly impact deer species and safety and for determining appropriate countermeasures for mitigation. Efforts to reduce deer density adjacent to roads and developed land and to provide wider shoulders on undivided roads are recommended. Improving the consistency and accuracy of deer carcass and deer-vehicle collision data collection methods and practices is also desirable.

A Survey of Traffic Safety Culture Among Iowa Adults, TS-1101, 2012

Iowa’s traffic safety culture is influenced by laws and policies, enforcement methods, driver education, roadway engineering, and drivers’ behaviors. The Center for Social and Behavioral Research at the University of Northern Iowa was contracted by the Iowa Department of Transportation to conduct a general population survey of adult Iowans. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,088 adult Iowans from October to December 2011. A dual-frame (cell phone and landline) sampling design was used. The interview covered a wide range of traffic safety topics (e.g., traffic safety policies, enforcement techniques, and distracted driving). Most Iowans said driving in Iowa is about as safe now as it was 5 years ago; however, one-fourth said driving in Iowa is less safe now. There are a number of driving-related behaviors many adult Iowans consider serious threats to traffic safety and never acceptable to do while driving. Yet, many Iowans report often seeing other drivers engaging in these behaviors and admit engaging in some themselves. For example, nearly 1 in 5 adult Iowa drivers said they have sent or read a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days despite this being prohibited since July of 2011. A slight majority said they support using cameras on highways, interstates, and city streets to automatically ticket drivers for speeding, with even stronger support for red light cameras. A comprehensive approach to traffic safety in Iowa is required to encourage protective factors that enhance traffic safety and reduce the impact of detrimental factors.

A summary review of traffic safety problems and programs through June 1973.

Mode of access: Internet.

A summary review of traffic safety highlights, problems and programs. June 1974 through June 1975.

Mode of access: Internet.

A summary review of the status of traffic safety, problems, priorities, programs and of NHTSA activities June 1975 through September 1976.

Mode of access: Internet.

The effectiveness of traffic safety material in influencing the driving performance of the general driving population. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Newsletter University of Illinois Division of University Extenstion.

Mode of access: Internet.

Citizen-police communications system, Illinois State Police : interim report /

On cover: Illinois traffic safety programs, report of evaluation or assessment.

Emergency rescue vehicles : interim evaluation report as of summer 1980 /

"March 1981."

Evaluation of the 2006 Labor Day You Drink & Drive, You Lose, Campaign : July 24 - September 17, 2006.

"February 2007"

FFE-2 : participation of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety in the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan Field Exercise of June 1987 /

Cover title.

Geological-geotechnical studies for siting the superconducting super collider in Illinois : results of the 1986 test drilling program /

Bibliography: p. 106-107.

Illinois crash facts and statistics.

Issued by the Division of Traffic Safety.

Occupant restraint usage in Illinois.

Description based on: Apr. 1985.

Program and management audit of the Illinois Department of Public Aid's Kidcare Program.

"To the Legislative Audit Commission, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representative, the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the members of the General Assembly, and the Governor."--Cover letter.