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2006 News Stories

Land of 40,000 DWIs

With drunken-driving arrests at a record high in the state, some say technology is the best hope for curbing offenders. From Star Tribune, December 30, 2006

Center for Excellence in Rural Safety director Lee Munnich comments on the high incidence of traffic fatalities on rural roads, calling it one of the biggest public safety issues of our era. From Duluth News Tribune.

Pay a fine or do the time ... in class with parents

A new drivers' education program for teen traffic violators and their parents is being offered by the Lakeville Police Department, with help from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Police departments in Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, and Wright County offer similar programs. From Pioneer Press.

Easing up on sentencing of drunken drivers

Some Minnesota judges are departing from sentencing guidelines to reduce penalties for drunken driving and vehicular homicide. University of Minnesota law professor Steve Simon, head of the state's DUI task force, comments on the issue as a featured guest on the Midmorning call-in show. From Minnesota Public Radio.

Public Enemy #1?

Though more people are killed on the roads every month than died in the World Trade Center attack in 2001, Americans can't seem to muster much outrage about the death rate from motor vehicle crashes. University of Minnesota experts Max Donath and Nic Ward, along with state safety officials Kathryn Swanson and Anne Beers discuss what can be done to reduce fatal crashes. From Minnesota Medicine.

Distractions take their toll on Minnesota drivers

Every year as many as 100 people in Minnesota die in vehicle crashes because they were distracted while driving. Minnesota and most other states have no laws specifically prohibiting activities that might distract drivers, but a growing number of communities around the country are taking action. From Minnesota Public Radio.

Cell phones and driving: deadlier than alcohol?

An ITS Institute study has found that using a cell phone may impair drivers more than alcohol intoxication. University researchers present the findings of this recent study on distracted driving. From CTS Report.