Toward Zero Deaths
Our mission: To create a culture for which traffic fatalities and serious injuries are no longer acceptable through the integrated application of education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency medical and trauma services. These efforts will be driven by data, best practices, and research.
Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) is a Minnesota partnership led by the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health, in cooperation with the Minnesota State Patrol, the Federal Highway Administration, Minnesota county engineers, and the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.
TZD Spotlight
2009 ‘Crash Facts’ shows number of Minnesota traffic deaths lowest since 1944
There were 421 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads in 2009, the lowest on record since 1944 and an 8 percent drop from 455 deaths in 2008. This and other statistics are reported in Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2009, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s annual detailed summary of traffic crashes. The report is now online at the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety Web site under “Crash Data and Reports.”
A Safer Way Home: the Minnesota Safe Ride Guide
The Minnesota Safe Ride Program Report and a condensed companion piece, A Safer Way Home: the Minnesota Safe Ride Guide, are new publications that offer help for communities wanting to start an alternative transportation program to get impaired drivers home safely.
Traffic Safety in the News
- Using tech to curb deaths on Minnesota's roadways
- Smithsonian celebrates seatbelts and safety
- Enforcement issues loom with texting while driving bans
- Survey finds drivers mistakenly believe winter is most dangerous travel time
- New GHSA Report: Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs
- Do DWI laws work?
- U of M study: People don't mind big brother
- Survey: More support road rules
- Investigators: Kids, Cars & Country Roads
- New traffic safety publication helps drivers "Get There" (pdf)
- Governor Pawlenty signs legislation for stronger DWI sanctions; requires use of ignition interlocks
- Pawlenty signs DWI bill
Upcoming Events
2010 Toward Zero Deaths Conference: Save the Date
Mark your calendar for the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) annual conference, to be held October 25 and 26, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Recent Events
July 14 Stakeholder Breakfast
TZD hosted an open conversation about the challenges and opportunities encountered by law enforcement when dealing with distracted drivers.