Toward Zero Death program helps save lives

 

Lt. Brad Norland from Minnesota State Patrol, MnDOT District Engineer Lou Tasa, and Holly Kostrzewski, Northwest Minnesota TZD Coordinator brought information to the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 10 about the Toward Zero Death (TZD) program, and their continual efforts to get people from place to place safely. 

“We're tired of having to show up at doors to inform families of a death from a crash,” said Lt. Brad Norland. He emphasized the need to use seat belts, obey the speed limits, do not drink and drive, and avoid texting and other distractions.  

Distractions from those texting while driving, or changing radio stations are especially problematic, the patrolman said. Just not paying attention is often the reason given by some who may cause an accident. 

“Make sure you are paying attention!”

Lou Tasa said TZD has extended their strategies to avoid traffic crashes by using five “Es” to include “Everyone”. The focus is “Engineering, EMS (Emergency Medical Services), Education, Enforcement, and Everyone”. The goal of TZD is what the name indicates – zero deaths from crashes on the highways through these strategies. 

“We are thinking about ways to improve safety all the time,” said Holly Kostrzewski, Coordinator for the Northwest region. “Being unbelted, alcohol related, and speed are the most common causes in crashes.”

Safety is their number one priority. She said the program started six years ago here. At that time statistics showed that about 68% of the public used seatbelts, but the latest information shows that 84% or more are using them.

“How many of you buckle up all the time?” Lou Tasa asked. “If you're not buckling up for yourself, do it for your kids and grand kids” 

Remember, they are seeing your example. 

Often people think it is unimportant to buckle up if you're just in town and going to the grocery store, where the speed limit may only be 30 mph, but he said it should be a priority every time. 

They displayed a number of horrific pictures of mangled and destroyed vehicles after a crash. Often the difference in whether someone survives or not is if they were wearing their seatbelt.

They explained that cars now have a “cage” in them, and while cars may be destroyed in a crash, that cage saves many lives, if the occupants are buckled up. 

It doesn't collapse and there is a tremendous chance of survival. Buckling up is a lot safer. Being expelled in a crash leads to death in the majority of cases.

“We live in farming country, and there are implements all over in this area,” Lt. Norland pointed out. “You need to be watching out for them.”

Commissioner Dean Newland talked about the many distractions which he faces as a bus driver. He said the kids talked about the mock crash that was demonstrated for a long time.

“Driving is multitasking already, without doing other things,” Commissioner Neal Illies pointed out. 

Don't add additional activities while driving, such as the texting, using cell phones, radios, and some even watch videos on the dash, Lt. Norland said. 

“Tell the kids, 'don't do this', and tell them over and over!”