2007 News Stories
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A Safe Resolution (88 KB PDF)
AAA works to make Minnesota's roadways safer with a goal "Toward Zero Deaths." From the AAA Magazine, January-February 2008.
U of M study says safety attitudes behind the wheel are vastly different between rural and urban drivers
University researchers have found that rural drivers are more complacent when it comes to common safety practices on the road than their urban counterparts. Research fellow Mick Rakauskas, with the HumanFIRST Program in the ITS Institute, discovered that drivers in rural areas practiced riskier driving behaviors and were less aware of the danger in doing so, especially when it comes to driving while under the influence and not using a seat belt. From the University of Minnesota News Service, December 18, 2007.
No seat belts for most teens killed on state roads
A majority of the 176 teens ages 16-19 who died in Minnesota traffic accidents in 2004-06 weren't wearing seat belts, the state Department of Public Safety reported today. From Star Tribune, November 15, 2007.
Thousands of aggressive drivers got a comeuppance, state reports
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety had warned motorists that law enforcement was going to crack down on aggressive driving and speeding this summer, and it carried through on its promise.
In June and July, law enforcement agencies participating in the department's Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) program stopped 10,166 vehicles and issued more than 7,000 tickets for driving above the speed limit. From Star Tribune, September 10, 2007.
2006 Minnesota highway toll lowest in 60 years
Minnesota recorded 494 traffic-related fatalities in 2006, the fewest number deaths on state roads in more than 60 years, according to a report released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. From Star Tribune, June 20, 2007.
Eagan Students Participate In New Driving Study
(WCCO) Some Twin Cities parents have a high-tech way to see what their teen drivers are doing on the road. A couple dozen students at Eagan High School will be part of a first of its kind study of teens driving in an urban environment. From WCCO, May 28, 2007.
Less jail for fatal DWIs spurs anger, fuels debate
Despite protests, some judges say intervention - instead of straight jail time - has helped keep more DWI offenders from driving drunk again. From Star Tribune, April 29, 2007.
New safety information resource: Real-Time Projected Annual U.S. Vehicle Related Fatalities and Crashes
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) created a new Web site that provides up-to-the-minute projections on daily and annual roadway vehicle-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. It also links to state traffic safety information from NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
16 states see road deaths slashed
From USA Today, January 30, 2007
Star Tribune Editorial: Continue to reduce state's traffic deaths
Legislature should push for tougher seat-belt enforcement. From Star Tribune, January 4, 2007.
Road toll is lowest since 1945
For a 3rd consecutive year, Minnesota highway deaths declined. The final count may rise slightly. From Star Tribune, January 02, 2007.