In a fascinating interview, the Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), Scott Marler explains why 2023 had more fatalities than 2022, and why the COVID-related shutdown had a bizarre impact on Iowans lead foots. He also shares how roads are being re-engineered to accommodate mistakes we make when driving, and how they're anticipating the future of self-driving cars. 

376 Iowans lost their lives on Iowa roads last year, which is more than 2022 fatality rate of 338. Did you know you have a 1 in 366 chance of getting in a wreck this month? And in your lifetime, a 1 in 107 chance of getting killed in a car wreck? Marler's vision is to bring that number to 0, he discusses distracted driving, where most wrecks happen, and states the obvious: people are still not wearing seatbelts. (What the heck?)

https://iowapodcast.com/scott-marler-road-deaths