Contacts
- Kristine Hernandez
TZD Coordinator/ Public Affairs Team Leader
507-286-7601 - Kristin Kammueller
Community Relations Coordinator
507-286-7684
Location
Minnesota Department of
Transportation
Rochester District 6
2900 48th Street
Rochester, MN 55901
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Local boys “saved by the belt” launch increased seat belt enforcement efforts
Southeastern Minnesota Law Enforcement and Toward Zero Deaths Safe Communities Join Forces
What: About 30 southeastern Minnesota regional law enforcement officers with
their vehicles, community members and TZD Safe Communities kick off an
enhanced enforcement and education campaign to encourage seat belt use.
When: Monday, May 16, 2011, 10:45 a.m.
Where: Bass Pond parking lot, Elmwood Street West (County Road 8)
Lanesboro, Minn. 55499
Why: Seat belts are a motorist’s best defense on Minnesota roads plagued with speeding, distracted and impaired drivers.
In Minnesota 2007–2009, more than 1,000 motorists were killed in crashes and only 43 percent were buckled up.
During this same time period in southeastern Minnesota, 144 motorists were killed in traffic crashes and 67 were not belted.
Featured Speakers:
- Lt. Jeff Westrum, Minnesota State Patrol
- Officer Brian Blake, Austin Police Department
- Sheriff Daryl Jensen, Fillmore County
- Nancy Harrison, parent of two boys who were “saved by the belt” during a December 2010 crash on Highway 52 involving a semi truck. The three boys involved in the crash will receive an award at this event.
The southeastern Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths initiative brings area law enforcement, public health educators, engineers and emergency medical and trauma services together in an effort to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and severe injuries to zero in southeastern Minnesota. The 11-county area includes: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Winona and Wabasha counties.
