Safety while driving

A Public Safety Announcement from the Pleasant Hill Police Chief

There are many new and inexperienced drivers within the Southeast Polk School District during peak traffic hours, which occur between 7 – 7:45 a.m. when drivers are going to work the same time students and parents are driving to school. When traveling east during peak traffic hours, the sun produces blind spots, which is dangerous for drivers. When drivers are in a hurry to get to work the same time teachers and students with school permits or intermediate licenses are driving to school, it creates congestion for drivers. We ask that you are patient and take your time as everyone’s safety is our highest priority.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department would like to remind everyone to put down their electronic device and keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The average driver is distracted for 5 seconds at a time to check or send a text message. However, distracted driving is not limited to texting or talking on the phone. Other causes of distracted driving can include eating, tending to children or changing the radio station. Distracted driving is anything that may takes your focus away from the road when behind the wheel. It is imperative the public remains vigilant and drive with regards to others anytime they get behind the wheel.

Law enforcement officers will be paying special attention for distracted drivers and looking for violations of the Iowa state code 321.276: Use of an electronic device while driving-text messaging. Keeping your focus on the road will help keep motorists safe and allow drivers to arrive at their destination without incident.

Iowa state code 321.276: Use of electronic device or equipment
(Persons under the age of 18)
A person issued an instruction permit, intermediate driver’s license; minor school license or special restricted license shall not use an electronic communication device or an electronic entertainment device while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.

(Persons of the age of 18)
A person shall not use a hand-held electronic communication device to write, send, or read a text message while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Refer to the Code section for the complete version of this law 321.276.

Special areas of concern, but not limited to are;
US Hwy 65 (by-pass)
Hwy 163
NE 80th
NE 56th

The Pleasant Hill Police Department encourages ALL drivers put down their electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. We ask that you help us keep our patrons and students safe. Please call the Pleasant Hill Police Department with any questions or concerns at 515-265-1444.

Thank you,
Chief of Police, Al Pizzano