Oelwein Police Department

06/01/2026

Monday Mythbusters

Myth: If I use my turn signal while turning, that counts.

Reality: Turn signals are meant to signal your intention before the turn happens.

Flipping it on halfway through the turn is less of a signal and more of a celebration.

Give other drivers time to react. That is the whole point.

05/28/2026

Thursday Trivia Reveal

Correct answer: C) Stop, unless you are already too close to do so safely

Yes. That one.

Yellow does not mean:

“Floor it”
“You’ve got time”
Or “this is between me and the intersection”

It means prepare to stop.
Unless stopping would be unsafe.

Not “unless you believe in yourself.”

Now the serious part (briefly, because we know attention spans):

Yellow-light decisions are a major cause of intersection crashes. Misjudging distance, speed, or reaction time turns a normal stop into a bad day very quickly.

Yellow is not a challenge.
It’s a warning.

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

Wednesday Wisdom:
Every driver has done it.

You approach a yellow light.
You make a decision.
You immediately commit to that decision, regardless of whether it was correct.

So let’s test this week’s trivia:

Under Iowa law, what is a steady yellow traffic signal actually telling you to do?

A) Speed up to clear the intersection
B) Proceed normally if you feel confident
C) Stop, unless you are already too close to do so safely
D) It’s basically a suggestion

One of these is legally correct.
The others are… commonly observed.

Answer revealed Thursday. Timing is everything.

05/25/2026

Monday Mythbusters

Myth: Holidays mean laws are relaxed.

Reality: They are not.

Memorial Day weekend brings more traffic, more travel, and unfortunately more crashes. That also means more enforcement, not less.

Speeding, impaired driving, and careless driving do not get a pass just because it is a holiday.

If anything, the stakes are higher.

Take your time, plan ahead, and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely.

That is the best way to honor the day.

05/21/2026

Thursday Trivia Reveal

Correct answer: A) Only a few minutes

Yes. Minutes.

Not hours.
Not life-changing gains.
Not worth the stress level you just created.

Speeding usually saves:

A couple minutes
Maybe five if everything goes perfectly (it won’t)

Meanwhile, you:

Increase crash risk
Burn more fuel
And arrive slightly earlier… but significantly more annoyed

Congratulations on your 3-minute victory.

Now for the serious part.

Speeding reduces reaction time and increases both the likelihood and severity of crashes. Even small increases in speed can make a big difference in stopping distance and impact force.

To stay safe:

Follow posted speed limits
Allow extra time for your trip
Recognize that rushing rarely changes the outcome

A few minutes isn’t worth a crash.