About the Council
Our Vision
Minnesota envisions a future where all roadway users are safe from fatal and life-changing injuries.
Our Mission
The Advisory Council on Traffic Safety is committed to guiding Minnesota toward zero fatal and serious injury crashes by fostering collaboration among stakeholders and promoting innovative safety solutions, best practices, and shared expertise. We offer expert advice to agency commissioners and support communities, practitioners, and policymakers in building an equitable and safe roadway system for all, while leading the state's Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program.
What Does the Council Do?
The Advisory Council plays a crucial role in shaping Minnesota’s traffic safety policies. It serves as an umbrella organization for the TZD program and is involved in various activities to improve road safety, including:
- Advising the governor and heads of state departments and agencies on policies, programs, and services affecting traffic safety.
- Advising the appropriate representatives of state departments on the activities of the TZD program, including but not limited to educating the public about traffic safety.
- Encouraging state departments and other agencies to conduct needed research in the field of traffic safety.
- Reviewing recommendations of the subcommittees and working groups.
- Reviewing and commenting on the development and implementation of state and local traffic safety plans.
- Advising the commissioner of public safety on grant agreements for projects under subdivision 6, paragraph (b).
- Making recommendations on safe road zone safety measures under section 169.065.
For more about the council, please see Minnesota Statutes section 4.076.
Why Was the Council Established?
Despite years of progress, Minnesota continues to experience too many preventable fatal and serious-injury crashes. The Advisory Council will join efforts across various stakeholders, improving the coordination and effectiveness of traffic safety initiatives. By creating formal partnerships, the council aims to reverse recent spikes in road fatalities and achieve long-term reductions.