Public Safety

Traffic Safety

Statewide Outcome(s):

The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) supports the following statewide outcome(s).

People in Minnesota are safe.

Context:

Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death and serious injury for Minnesotans from the age of one through 34 years. The OTS supports programs to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries through increasing seat belt use, decreasing impaired driving, moderating speeds and reducing distracted driving behaviors. OTS programs include crash data improvement, traffic crash analysis and program evaluation.

These programs serve Minnesota citizens, local units of government and non-profit agencies. The programs are funded by a mix of special revenue funds, trunk highway fund appropriations and approximately $20 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) programs which pass through to state and local entities to address traffic safety programs.

Strategies:

The OTS provides approximately 160 grants to 300 local units of governments and non-profit agencies to support strategies to improve motorists’ behavior by using public education and outreach, traffic enforcement, policy development, and community safety programs. The OTS partners include the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Health, Driver and Vehicle Services, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, county and municipal governments and traffic safety advocate organizations. The OTS utilizes:

·         Data driven proven countermeasures targeting populations that are overrepresented in traffic crashes which include high visibility enforcement coupled with public outreach and education.

·         Strong traffic safety laws such as primary seat belt, graduated driver’s license, driver license sanctions and ignition interlock.

·         Strong partnerships with other state agencies and local stakeholders to address traffic safety in a collaborative effort statewide.

Results:

The OTS has been successful in meeting performance measures that are directly related to our strategies. Factors driving the performance trend are enhanced legislation, improved driver and passenger behavior, improved vehicle safety features, improved roadways, and improved emergency medical services.

Performance Measures Notes:

1.     Performance measures compare five year average 2006-2010 (previous) to 2011 (current).

2.     The statewide observational seatbelt survey indicates 93.6 percent of front seat vehicle occupants are wearing their seatbelts.