Achieving Toward Zero Deaths recognition

By now, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “Toward Zero Deaths.” It has been a part of the fabric of Minnesota law enforcement and others for nearly 15 years and one that has been used routinely in this newspaper for at least the past year. 
Toward Zero Deaths is the state’s cornerstone traffic safety program, which uses interdisciplinary approach to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths. It is exactly what the name implies—working to reach zero deaths on Minnesota roads.
In some ways it may seem like a pretty unattainable goal. But if you consider the historical perspective, it quickly becomes clear that maybe it’s not so lofty after all. Zero isn’t impossible, but it will take the efforts of many to come close. 
In Minnesota in 1968, there were 1,060 traffic fatalities, the highest number ever recorded in a single year in the state. Just last year, there were 411 people killed in Minnesota. Though it’s not the lowest number recorded (2014 was with 361), it’s headed in the right direction compared to decades ago. 
It’s by no accident that Minnesota has experienced a huge drop in fatalities over the past 50 years. It has taken the hard work and dedication of lots of people striving towards a common goal. 
Minnesota has been a leader among the states in the development of innovative drunk driving countermeasures. The Legislature made significant amendments to the DWI law in 1971, 1976, 1978 and in almost every year of the 1980s. 
The TZD approach is based on the belief that even one traffic-related death on our roads is unacceptable. The “zero deaths” idea was first adopted in Sweden in 1997. Minnesota adopted TZD in 2003. 
TZD has proven to save lives by bringing together education, enforcement, emergency services and engineering. The program works in partnership with community and corridor groups to improve traffic safety of a designated area. 
The media has also become an important tool in driving home the importance of traffic safety. This past week the Dodge County Independent was recognized for its efforts in delivering the TZD messages. The DCI received a Media Star Award at the annual TZD conference in Duluth. We were the only media organization in the state to receive the high honor.
As I made clear in my acceptance speech in front of 900 traffic safety experts from across the state, this award is not only about us, but rather it exemplifies the importance of teamwork between law enforcement and other community groups and the media. 
Together we can make a difference in changing societal attitudes and the lives of others. To drink and drive is not socially acceptable as it was just say 10 years ago. The days of getting smashed and attempting to find your way home behind the wheel are gone. Add to it the days of the local officer looking the other way and not doing anything about driving after having one too many. 
Through this newspaper, we are constantly finding new ways to educate our readers about traffic safety, especially impaired driving and distracted driving. 
It is humbling and gratifying for me to receive such an honor, especially after I have been personally committed to traffic safety both as a journalist and police officer for more than two decades. 
The families of victims killed by drunk drivers are left with a lifetime of pain and anguish. I recently interviewed a mother who lost her daughter 28 years ago after she was decapitated by a drunk driver along Interstate 35 in Rice County. Or consider the parents who lost their three sons to a drunk 12 years ago in Dakota County. It’s stories like theirs that should motivate all of us to continue this battle.
A drunk driving death is 100 percent avoidable. 
The media—at least the DCI— has and will continue to make a difference in the war on dangerous driving behavior. We will also keep working feverishly with the local TZD programs in Dodge and Steele counties to help keep our roads safe. 
Being in hot pursuit of reaching towards zero deaths is something we should all embrace any time of the year.