2010 News Stories

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Using tech to curb deaths on Minnesota's roadways

Minnesota Public Radio, August 10, 2010

University of Minnesota ITS Institute Director Max Donath and HumanFIRST Director Mike Manser discuss a range of technologies that save lives on the road, from digital maps and devices that keep drivers from drifting out of their lane to phones that alert parents if a young driver is violating Minnesota's graduated driver's license rules by being out too late or having too many passengers in the car. Seat belts are a crucial safety technology, as well.

Smithsonian celebrates ceatbelts and cafety

Wired Autopia, July 14, 2010

Automakers and regulators are donating automotive safety systems to the Smithsonian to celebrate 75 years of automotive safety.

Enforcement issues loom with texting while driving bans

National Public Radio, July 1, 2010

Six new texting-while-driving bans go into effect this month as state officials try to reduce the number of car crashes. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that in 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in accidents related to distracted driving and 500,000 others were injured. Enforcement is identified as a key factor in the effectiveness of these laws.

New GHSA Report: Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs

Governors Highway Safety Association

In 2010, GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a survey detailing their distracted driving efforts. Fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and American Samoa responded. The results of this survey are published in this report.

The report details a host of approaches states are implementing, including: stronger laws, increased data collection, new education programs, public/private partnerships and a growing reliance on new media to spread the message.

Do DWI laws work?

CityPages, June 9, 2010

One in seven Minnesotans has a drunk driving conviction. Are we any safer?

U of M study: People don't mind big brother

FOX 9 News, June 5, 2010

By the number of drivers who contest their traffic tickets, you'd think there'd be total disdain for the number of squad cars on the road. Not so. It turns out, perhaps the opposite. According to a new University of Minnesota national survey, people are more open to different kinds of enforcement to keep themselves and others safe.

Survey: More support road rules

USA Today, June 3, 2010

Americans strongly support public policies to reduce highway deaths, including some measures that many elected officials consider too restrictive, such as alcohol ignition interlocks and traffic enforcement cameras, according to new national survey by the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota. "We were surprised by the level of support for these strategies," says Lee Munnich, director of the center.

Investigators: Kids, Cars & Country Roads

FOX 9, May 23, 2010

This spring has been a deadly one on rural roads, especially for teen drivers. Ten teens have died, seven of whom were not wearing seat belts. In this report, FOX 9 focuses on teen drivers, seat belt use and rural roads. It also features an interview with Lee Munnich, director of the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota.

New traffic safety publication helps drivers "Get There" (PDF)

AAA Minnesota/Iowa, May 19, 2010

AAA Minnesota/Iowa and the Minnesota Safety Council have released "Get There! Your Guide to Traffic Safety," a 28-page traffic safety booklet that provides engaging and practical tips for drivers of all ages. The booklet addresses 20 of the top issues drivers face behind the wheel, from distracted driving to bad weather.

Investigators: Kids, Cars & Country Roads

FOX 9 News, May 23, 2010

Do you think it's safer to drive on country roads or city roads? Lighter traffic and the fact you may pass fewer crashes in the country might make you think you're safer there, but you're not.

Governor Pawlenty signs legislation for stronger DWI sanctions; requires use of ignition interlocks

Minnesota Office of the Governor, May 18, 2010

Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation May 18 to strengthen sanctions against DWI offenders and require certain offenders to use ignition interlock devices. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2011, and aims to prevent alcohol-related crashes which account for one-third of all Minnesota traffic deaths annually. The legislation gives DWI offenders a chance to regain driving privileges by ensuring safe and legal driving through the use of interlocks.

Pawlenty signs DWI bill

Star Tribune, May 18, 2010

On May 18, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill that requires first-time DWI offenders who registered high blood-alcohol readings when arrested to use a breath-activated ignition system to drive as part of their sentences. Repeat offenders also would need to use the device.

Study: Traffic incidents top cause of police deaths

NPR, May 13, 2010

Traffic incidents were the largest cause of death for law enforcement officers last year, according to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The number of traffic deaths, 51, is a decrease from last year's total of 71, and some in law enforcement hope that's a sign that recent safety measures are working.

Rural roads: Two lanes and treacherous

Star Tribune, May 18, 2010

A rash of fatal crashes in April highlights the ever-present dangers of Minnesota's rural roads. A lot of times people think they are safer on rural roads, so they take more risks," said Lee Munnich, director of the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota.

National safety standards sought for teen drivers

USA Today, May 4, 2010

Three senators are pushing legislation to create a national graduated driver licensing (GDL) law. They say it would replace a patchwork of state laws with a single national standard that encompasses proven safety policies for novice drivers. Fresh scrutiny surrounds Minnesota's GDL law after 18 people, many of them teens, were killed in one week in highway crashes.

U turns to technology to aid teen drivers and their parents

Star Tribune, May 1, 2010

U of M researchers are hoping intervention technology will make teenagers better drivers. The Teen Driver Support System goes well beyond seat belts and cell phones.

3 crashes kill 5; 8-day total: 16 dead

Star Tribune, April 27, 2010

In one of the latest of a series of horrific accidents across the state, a Hastings woman and two other people were killed Monday afternoon when their SUV was broadsided by a beer truck in Vermillion Township in Dakota County. This crash, as well as a two-vehicle accident Monday in Polk County that killed one person and a fatal one-car accident in the south metro area Sunday, brought the number of people killed in Minnesota traffic accidents in the past eight days to 16.

Do limits on new drivers reduce crashes?

Minnesota Public Radio, April 27, 2010

Safety advocates back a new proposal before the U.S. Senate that would require states to use graduated licensing rules for drivers under the age of 21. Some states, like Minnesota, already have some restrictions on new drivers. But do the laws really work?

Students get sobering warning before prom season

Minnesota Public Radio, April 27, 2010

With prom just days away, school officials across Minnesota are reminding students about safe driving. School leaders say they hope this year's messages will especially hit home, given the run of deadly crashes in recent days.

'Why, God? Why?’ 6 killed near Cambridge

Star Tribune, April 26, 2010

A fiery head-on collision just west of Cambridge killed a 16-year-old driver's four passengers, seriously injured her, and left two others dead in a charred SUV. A State Patrol accident reconstructionist called the April 25 crash "the worst he's ever seen in his life."

Small towns grieve for 3 teens lost in crash

Star Tribune, April 25, 2010

Three teenage girls died and a fourth was left critically injured in a so far unexplained rollover accident in southeastern Minnesota. A pickup truck driven by 16-year-old Shauna Marie Ruhoff rolled into a ditch near Altura on April 23.

State ramps up enforcement of speeding

Alexandria Echo Press, April 18, 2010 (registration required)

Minnesota law enforcement agencies are accelerating patrols in 2010 to combat one of state’s leading contributors to fatal traffic crashes – speeding. Around 50 agencies will conduct extra enforcement to address speeding, and an ad campaign will remind drivers that the posted speed is the speed limit.

Minnesota vs. deadly DWIs: Who's winning?

Star Tribune, April 14, 2010

Minnesota gets high marks among states for enforcement, but not for punishment.

New tech safety sign on Highway 53 in Minong

In an attempt to prevent fatal car crashes, the Wisconsin DOT installed a first of its kind traffic sign at one of northern Wisconsin’s most deadly intersections. Engineers and psychologists at the University of Minnesota developed the Rural Intersection Collision Avoidance System as a part of a USDOT plan to reduce rural car accidents.

Traffic deaths down, but not low enough

USA Today, April 12, 2010

A growing number of highway safety advocates and transportation officials are pushing the U.S. to adopt a goal of zero traffic fatalities. Minnesota is one of six states that have responded by adopting a statewide Toward Zero Deaths program. Proponents of the initiative, such as Bernie Arseneau of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, say that technological safety advances in automobiles will be a major factor in reaching this goal. "I believe that technology is going to get us to a point where zero deaths is achievable," Arseneau said.

DWI drivers who kill can get off easy

Star Tribune, March 24, 2010

In nearly 60 percent of cases calling for four years in prison, drivers serve a year or less in jail.

Traffic fatalities for 2009 reach record low

U.S. Department of Transportation, March 11, 2010

The number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954. According to data projections, the fatality rate reached the lowest level ever recorded, and the highway death count dropped 8.9 percent from 2008.

Rural fatal crashes — reasonable solutions

The Police Chief, February 2010

Rural fatal crashes can be mitigated effectively by utilizing the four Es of highway safety: education, emergency medical services, enforcement, and engineering. Installing shoulder rumble strips, improving signage on horizontal curves, and instituting low-staffing sobriety checkpoints are some of the tools that can be used to increase safety on rural roads.

Rural fatal crashes — a grim scene

The Police Chief, January 2010

Rural roads carry only about a third of U.S. traffic, and yet they account for more than half of its traffic fatalities. Like urban crashes, those on rural roads often involve speed, alcohol-impairment, lack of occupant protection, and large trucks, but all of them occur in greater numbers.

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.

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.

Smashed: the toll of driving drunk in Minnesota

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.