After Nebraska tragedy, Iowa law enforcement remind drivers about the importance of road safety

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa law enforcement are urging drivers to be cautious on the road after a tragic incident in Nebraska.

Nebraska State Trooper Kyle McAcy was hit by a plow while responding to a crash on I-80 between Lincoln and Omaha. The Iowa Department of Transportation says near-misses are common - one reason why it’s important to give workers plenty of space.

“One is just one too many,” Craig Bargfrede, Winter Operations Administrator with the Iowa DOT, said. “They just want to do their job.”

Trooper Bob Conrad’s car was hit during a snowy night, he said it’s a risk first responders and others who work on the road have to face.

“It’s a scary place to be when you’re just trying to get other people out of harm’s way and you end up getting hit,” Conrad said. “Lucky we didn’t have any serious injuries.”

Both Bargfrede and Conrad say drivers need to give first responders and other workers space while on the road. It’s one reason why there is the “Move Over and Slow Down” law in Iowa: drivers are asked to slow down and change lanes while approaching police or vehicles working on the side of the road. Bargfrede says this law is meant to keep workers safe.

“Those people are somebody’s family member or loved one,” Bargfrede said. “People need to to follow that law and move over when it is safe to move over. There’s just too many examples of injuries happening to those responding to these kind of incidents.”

Drivers are also asked to be cautious around plows by giving them extra space. Last week’s snow storm was a record breaker as the DOT tracked 15 vehicles wrecking into plows in one day.

“Good habits make good drivers all times of the year,” Conrad said. “We have to tailor our habits to based on the weather and the road conditions.”