Iowa DOT Update

Driving a commercial vehicle in Iowa? 511 has made some updates to help you!

Professional drivers have a myriad of tools at their fingertips to complete a successful trip. For more than two decades, Iowa’s traveler information website, www.511ia.org has been one of those tools.

As you may have noticed, the www.511ia. org website recently went through a major overhaul. For more than a year the Iowa Department of Transportation has ran a test version of the new site alongside the existing site and gathered your feedback on features and functions. With your comments taken into consideration, the new site was fully launched March 17. The “old” fullfeatured version and “trucker” versions of the 511 websites were retired. The information from both sites have been folded into one robust site designed to allow you maximum flexibility to find the information you need.

For commercial drivers, this change means no longer having to navigate to a separate website version. Simply turn on the Commercial Vehicles toggle at the bottom of the layers menu to put it in “trucker mode”. Turning on this toggle automatically activates the “Restrictions for Commercial Vehicles” and “Weigh Stations” layers. All other layers are available to be activated by clicking on that layer.

Finding truck parking along Iowa Interstates is also made easier by www.511ia.org. By clicking on the “Rest Areas” layer, commercial drivers can click on a specific site, whether that’s public rest areas or select private truck stops, to see a list of amenities and available parking spots where that information is available.

Gathering updated information on the road is vital to keeping the nations trucking industry moving safely and efficiently. Using these handy features on www.511ia.org offers a way to help you plan a safer, more efficient trip.

Different colored icons allow you to see at-aglance if a truck stop is reporting parking availability and if that location has available spaces.

IMTA Director of Safety & Compliance Don Egli to Retire on July 1

With over 40 years in the trucking industry, Don Egli will be officially retiring on July 1, 2021. Don has spent the last 16 years at the Iowa Motor Truck Association overseeing the association’s safety and compliance efforts. He started his career in 1974 driving a truck for Landgrebe Motor Transport in Valparaiso, Indiana and quickly discovered a passion for an industry that became a worthwhile and satisfying career to him.

While he is always comfortable and at ease behind the wheel of a truck (he still has a CDL), his real calling was in safety and helping people. Don not only has an unwavering commitment and passion to highway safety, but he is as equally passionate in his quest to help people understand and appreciate the value of having a true safety culture within their company.

Don’s endearing and simple approach to safety and compliance made him a trusted advocate and treasured friend to countless company CEOs, truck drivers, safety personnel and regulatory officials across the nation. Not only does he have a deep understanding of the many regulations that impact the industry, but more importantly, he is gifted in his ability to help even the most inexperienced gain that same understanding and appreciation for the regulations and rules that are simply part of a trucking operation.

While trucking has been his focus for over 4 decades, his faith in God and a deep love for his family has always been the impenetrable pillar of who he is as an individual. His Christian upbringing on the cherished family farm in Kouts, Indiana provided the important foundation that was pivotal in his continued success. The love of his life, Terri, has been by his side throughout it all and has been the other “rock” of support that has allowed him to share his time, expertise, and support to the trucking industry.

While it will be very difficult to replace such a valued member of the IMTA team, we recognize that Don’s hard work and years of dedication to the industry must now be rewarded with some well-deserved time off that is only possible with retirement.

IMTA will be hosting an official retirement party for Don on Thursday, July 1 from 3:00 - 5:0o PM at the Iowa Motor Truck Association offices. This will be an opportunity for IMTA to show our appreciation and gratitude for Don’s service to the association and Iowa’s trucking industry.

DON EGLI IMTA Director of Safety & Compliance

IMTA WILL BE HOSTING AN

OFFICIAL RETIREMENT PARTY FOR DON JULY 1ST FROM 3-5 PM IMTA OFFICE

(DES MOINES)

Don’s enthusiasm for the annual TDC shines through as he addresses the crowd of drivers and thanks them for a job well done.

1What is your favorite memory from your career in trucking?

The trucking industry gets you into many places and situations that the average American seldom gets to see. I was honored to be the Chairman of the 2017 National Truck Driving Championships. Not because I wanted the recognition, but because it was something I could do for the truck drivers across America.

2What is your favorite IMTA memory over your last 16 years at the association?

This is a hard question to answer. I have enjoyed everything about my time at IMTA. Starting with our events, to member visits, to being able to assist carriers with the safety and regulatory issues, to the many, many friendships I have made. But I would have to say that the most rewarding experience was when I was able to assist a carrier who had lost their operating authority due to something that one of their drivers had done. They put their heart and soul into correcting the issues that they had, and I have to say that I had tears in my eyes when I received word that their operating authority had been reinstated.

3What was your favorite IMTA event and why?

Without a doubt it is the Iowa Truck Driving Championships. Anyone who knows me knows the support and respect that I have for our truck drivers, both in Iowa and across the country.

4What motivated you to come to work every day?

Growing up on a dairy farm, my parents instilled a work ethic into us at an early age. I have always said that our IMTA members are our extended family. It was exciting coming to work every day, wondering what new situation would come our way and figuring out how we could help with a resolution.

5What was the biggest change you saw in the trucking industry over your time in the industry?

I would say the improvement of safety and regulatory technology. Who would have thought that in my lifetime we would have the technology that we have today and on the horizon?

6Who were some of your biggest mentors throughout your career?

First and foremost my father. He taught us a work ethic on the farm that has stuck with me throughout my life. My mother taught me patience. Next would be Scott McCallister, a former Ruan Regional Vice President who saw something in me and gave me my first opportunity to get into the safety field. Next it would be Roland Weaver, a former Regional Safety Manager at Ruan. Roland taught me how to be a man of integrity and how to not be afraid to show my Christian faith in the workplace. Then it would be George Crouse. I had many great talks with George over the years and watched how he conducted himself in the business world. The last, and most important, would be my wife, Terri. She has kept me grounded and has been my sounding board for many years.

Don was heavily engaged with the Iowa Council of Management, including their various driver appreciation events throughout the years.

7What would be some “words of wisdom” you would share with someone that is coming into the trucking industry?

Never give up and never think that you know everything that there is to know.

8What are you looking forward to most once you retire?

I am looking forward to spending time with my wife and our family. Over the years Terri and I have done everything together, and I cannot wait until the time that I do not have to tell her goodbye in the morning.

9What are some things you hope to do once you are not working full time?

We will be spending a lot of time at our home in Naples, Florida, so I guess I’ll have to learn some older people stuff, like shuffleboard, bocce ball, etc.

10Any other comments? I would like that thank everyone for your kindness, friendship, and support over the years. You have all had a part in making the last 47 years enjoyable, entertaining, and meaningful to me. I will miss the daily responsibilities, but I am excited about what the future holds for the Egli family. God is so good!