A sheriff in Iowa had a close call caught on a dash camera after another driver allegedly failed to stop at a rural intersection. The Tama County Sheriff’s Office shared the footage as a reminder that even drivers with the right-of-way need to stay alert behind the wheel.
According to a press release on the Tama County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the incident happened at the intersection of Highway E36 and Highway V18 near Clutier. Sheriff Schmidt was traveling on Highway E36 when a vehicle heading north on Highway V18 entered the intersection directly in front of his patrol vehicle.
Officials said the other driver did not begin braking until spotting the sheriff’s vehicle. Thanks to Sheriff Schmidt’s quick reaction, he was able to stop in time and avoid what could have been a serious collision.
The driver was later stopped and cited for the stop sign violation. The sheriff’s office noted that it receives frequent complaints about motorists failing to stop at that same intersection, particularly as ongoing road construction and detours send unfamiliar drivers through the area.
Dash Camera Shows Just How Close the Crash Came
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The dash camera footage begins with Sheriff Schmidt traveling along Highway E36 before approaching the intersection with Highway V18. As he enters the intersection, another vehicle suddenly pulls out from the stop sign directly into his path.
The sheriff immediately slams on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision by what appears to be only a matter of feet. According to the sheriff’s office, the other driver didn’t begin braking until seeing the patrol vehicle approaching.
Officials used the incident to remind drivers that GPS directions should never replace paying attention to road signs, intersections, and surrounding traffic. The department also stressed the importance of defensive driving, noting that having the right-of-way doesn’t guarantee another driver will stop.
Comments Call for Safer Intersection While Praising Sheriff’s Quick Reaction
The close call quickly sparked discussion online, with many commenters saying they were thankful Sheriff Schmidt’s quick reflexes prevented a crash. One person joked they wanted to see the rest of the dash camera footage showing the traffic stop, while another quipped that dispatch should have been asked for “a clean pair of underwear” afterward.
Others said the intersection has been a problem for years. Several residents claimed they’ve personally witnessed drivers blowing through the stop sign, while one commenter who lives nearby said it’s something they regularly see from their back deck.
Many also offered suggestions for improving safety at the intersection. Some called for flashing red lights to be installed on the stop sign, while others questioned how the driver could have missed it in the first place. Several commenters also reminded fellow motorists that defensive driving and paying attention remain the best way to avoid crashes like this one.