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2009 News Stories

How safe are our roads?

National Public Radio, November 23-29, 2009

National Public Radio aired a series of stories about highway safety, exploring topics such as vehicle technology, road design, infrastructure, and driver behavior.

Crash avoidance technology advances

Minnesota Public Radio, November 25, 2009

Two recent safety innovations show promise in helping drivers avoid distraction-related crashes. Mn/DOT is implementing an advisory speed limit system that uses sensors embedded in the highway to trigger speed limit advisory signs. The other innovation, an emergency braking system, uses a video camera and laser beam to detect objects in front of a car and stop the car if the driver doesn't react. John Hourdos, director of the Minnesota Traffic Observatory at the University of Minnesota, participated in a local test of the new braking technology.

Thanksgiving outings keep bars bopping, cops hopping

Star Tribune, November 24, 2009

Drinkers should plan ahead for safe ride home, State Patrol urges.

Policy and technology of automated traffic enforcement

CTS Research E-News, November 2009

Automated enforcement of red-light running and speeding remains both a controversial public policy issue and an area of rapid technological development. A new report by University of Minnesota researchers John Adams and Barbara VanDrasek, sponsored by the University Metropolitan Consortium, reviews current legal and technological issues in the United States and around the world, focusing on implications for Minnesota.

Great Pretenders Party Guide (46 KB PDF)

AAA, November 24, 2009

The first digital edition of the AAA Great Pretenders Party Guide. It features nonalcoholic drink recipes from many of our prestigious AAA Diamond-rated establishments throughout the Midwest. Also included are party tips and driving safety information.

Preventing driving deaths

KAAL-TV (Austin, MN), November 13, 2009

Mn/DOT’s Kristine Hernandez and Olmsted County Sheriff Department’s Sgt. Vincent Scheckel on the Toward Zero Deaths coalition's efforts to keep the road fatalities under 400 this year, something that hasn't happened since 1944.

Deaths on state roads may be headed for record low

Star Tribune, October 28, 2009

Toll has dropped steadily since the state's "cornerstone traffic safety initiative," Toward Zero Deaths, began in '03.

Minnesota law enforcement goes after the unbelted

The Minnesota Daily, October 19, 2009

The Click It or Ticket campaign is aimed to combat vehicle fatalities on Minnesota roads.

More motorists die on rural roads

USA TODAY, October 6, 2009

Lee Munnich, director of the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota, is quoted on how many more traffic fatalities (56% in 2008) happen in rural rather than urban roads.

Minnesota traffic deaths hit 300 for the year

Alexandria Echo Press, October 2, 2009

'09 pedestrian fatalities in state rise sharply

Star Tribune, October 1, 2009

Drivers and their toys: Unsafe at any speed?

Star Tribune, September 30, 2009

Tech-driven dangers behind the wheel are now a national focus, but it'll take more to get drivers to put their toys down.

Local students help Klobuchar send the message

ABC Newspapers.com, September 24, 2009

Surrounded by safe driving advocates, including students from Anoka High School, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced her support Saturday (Sept. 19) for federal legislation that would establish a nationwide ban on texting while driving.

Sharp drop in '08 traffic deaths in Minnesota

Star Tribune, July 16, 2009

The number of deaths on Minnesota's roads took a steep drop last year, reaching a total not seen in more than 60 years.

Road Warriors: State and local engineers join forces to lower fatalities in rural areas

Public Works Magazine, May 1, 2009

Freeborn County Engineer Susan Miller took it upon herself to establish and lead Toward Zero Deaths initiatives and help create a regional effort in southeast Minnesota and in her county.

Lots of deer. Lots of crashes. What to do?

Pioneer Press, June 19, 2009

Minnesota has so many deer, MnDOT is abandoning those ubiquitous yellow warning signs and looking for more effective ways to keep drivers safe.

In-Depth: How to Save a Life

FOX 9 News, June 3, 2009

The State Patrol hopes its “How to Save a Life” video, which mixes the grim reality of crash scenes with even grimmer testimony of the emotional aftermath, will make a big impact on teenage drivers.

Memorial Day weekend was Minn.'s deadliest since '96

Star Tribune, May 26, 2009

The death of at least 12 people on Minnesota roads over Memorial Day weekend made it the deadliest since 1996, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.

Minn. House backs bill toughening seat belt law

Star Tribune, May 19, 2009

Legislation in t he House giving police more power to ticket unbuckled motorists is cruising toward passage.

State road deaths at last year's rate

Star Tribune, May 4, 2009

Minnesota is on track to record 440 deaths on the state's roads and highways this year, a rate roughly comparable to 2008.

New law halts drunken drivers at the starting point

Star Tribune, May 1, 2009

A program is spreading statewide to require devices disabling a vehicle's ignition when alcohol levels are too high.

2009 NHTSA National Communications Plan now available

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, April 6, 2009

NHTSA’s national marketing and communications plan provides promotional materials that can be tailored to state and local programs. In addition to the support materials offered for occupant protection and impaired driving prevention, the plan offers new tools to help address rising crash, fatality and injury rates due to teen drivers, motorcycle crashes, pickup truck rollovers and more.

Minn. traffic deaths drop 17% in 2008

Kare 11, February 6, 2009

Fewer people died on U.S. roadways in 2008. A big reason for that is fewer people were driving because of the high gas prices last summer.

Stepped-up patrol efforts help save lives

USA Today, February 4, 2009

Nearly every state that recorded a drop in traffic deaths last year attributes part of the decline to Americans driving less. But highway patrol chiefs, traffic safety directors and independent experts say other factors also contributed.

Minn. road fatalities: Fewest since 1944

Star Tribune, January 5, 2009

Fewer people died on Minnesota's roads last year than in any year since 1944, when the state had 2 million fewer people, one-fifth as many vehicles, and the gasoline rationing of World War II.

Safe Cab Program Cutting Down On DWIs

WCCO, December 30, 2008

In the past year, Isanti County has cut its DWI arrests by nearly 40 percent, with the help of its Safe Cab program.

Anoka High School takes second in teen traffic safety competition

USDOT Fast Lane Blog, December 9, 2008

Anoka High School was awarded second place and a $2000 grant in a nationwide competition that challenged teens to develop ad campaigns that will help spread the message of traffic safety to their peers, sponsored by the US Department of Transportation and the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS).

Anoka High School’s Get the 411 on Teen Drivers! Stay Connected! Save Teen Lives! campaign focuses on graduated licensing and seatbelt laws. The school hosted Teen Driver 411 week, during which they made presentations to four Driver’s Education programs along with AAA. Anoka High School, Anoka, Minnesota

Read full announcement on the USDOT Fast Lane blog.

Nurses urge 'ounce of prevention' on Minnesota's traffic laws

Star Tribune, November 20, 2008

Stricter rules for the road could save lives and reduce injuries, which saves money, the Emergency Nurses Association said.

The Emergency Nurses Association released its 2008 scorecard of traffic safety in a St. Paul conference room with vivid views of Interstate 94 and the State Capitol. The group is hoping to persuade the Legislature to save lives -- and lots of money -- by beefing up the rules.