News
Read current news stories or download press releases on traffic safety issues. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety also offers a wide selection of Public Safety Announcements.
For media inquiries, please contact Nathan Bowie of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Communications; phone 651-201-7571 or e-mail Nathan.Bowie@state.mn.us.
Latest News Headlines
Welcome to the Fast Lane
Fast Lane, January 26, 2010
Read the official blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Drink, drive, arrest, repeat
Star Tribune, January 24, 2010
In Minnesota, 46,748 drivers have at least 4 DWI arrests. They form a dangerous group that's hard to treat or punish.
Pawlenty locks in on drunk driving
Star Tribune, January 19, 2010
He seeks ignition interlock system or loss of license, plus lower blood-alcohol limit for penalties.
The Oprah Show: America's New Deadly Obsession
"The Oprah Show", January 15, 2010
"The Oprah Show" tackles the topic of distracted driving with stories about the impact of driving and cell phones.
Drink and drive? These Minnesota cars just say no
Star Tribune, January 18, 2010
About 500 Minnesotans are part of a pilot program in which their cars are fitted with devices that let them drive only if they're sober.
Senseless deaths haunt highways
Star Tribune, January 17, 2010
One family's grief reflects the toll drunken driving takes on roughly 180 Minnesota families a year.
In the fight against drunken driving -- miles to go
Star Tribune, January 16, 2010
A team of Star Tribune reporters is taking a fresh look at an issue that still alarms.
New organization combats distracted driving
Washington Post, January 12, 2010
The Transportation Department and safety advocates joined Tuesday to announce the creation of FocusDriven, an organization dedicated to raising public awareness about the dangers of driving while talking on cell phones or texting on handheld computers.
Editorial: A 2009 highlight: Fewer road deaths
Star Tribune, January 11, 2010
In many ways 2009 was a difficult year, capping an often dreary decade some have dubbed the "zeroes." Despite the headwinds, a number of societal indicators were going in the right direction as the decade ended. Statistically speaking, the sharp drop in homicides in both Minneapolis and St. Paul in 2009 meant our streets were safer. And new data now indicates our roads were safer, too, in part because of smart public policy decisions.
Safe Communities Newsletter
Safe Communities of Minnesota is a monthly e-mail newsletter created by Amy Roggenbuck, Community Health Liaison for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety–Office of Traffic Safety. It highlights Safe Communities initiatives throughout the state.
- January 2010 (883 KB PDF)
- December 2009 (881 KB PDF)
- November 2009 (609 KB PDF)
- October 2009 (977 KB PDF)
- September 2009 (862 KB PDF)
- August 2009 (846 KB PDF)
Latest Press Releases
Download press releases on traffic safety programs in Minnesota
February 5, 2010
Super Bowl DWI Enforcement to Flag Impaired Drivers for "Illegal Use of Keys" (23 KB PDF)
February 3, 2010
Alcohol-Related Deaths Decline But Drinking and Driving Still Accounts for One-Third of All Fatalities (113 KB PDF)
January 13, 2010
Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program wins international safety award
January 11, 2010
December Dwi Crackdown Jails 2,577 Impaired Drivers; 4,586 Cited For Belt Violations (33 KB PDF)
January 4, 2010
Minnesota’s Annual Traffic Deaths Drop Again; 2009 Figure Projected To Be Lowest Since 1944 (159 KB PDF)
Videos
2009 TZD Conference Opening Session
Video overview of the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program from its inception, including interviews with its founders and key stakeholders, shown during the opening session of the Minnesota TZD Conference in Duluth in October 2009. (2009, 9:59)
International Road Federation Award Acceptance
Video created for the 2010 TRB Annual Meeting awards banquet, at which the Minnesota TZD program was presented with an award from the International Road Federation. (2009; 2:36)