Sept. 20
You’ve heard of “bring your kid to work” day. Maybe you’ve even had one at your place of business. But there are very few professions that have a day where they invite their entire neighborhood or town to work. That’s essentially what an open-house at a fire or police station is, though: a “bring your community to work” day. Believe it or not, law enforcement and firefighters job isn’t all emergencies. Prevention is a huge part of their work—and meeting you when you’re not in an emergency situation, such as a fire or traffic crash, is a good place to start...
Sept. 17
“If all your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you?” It’s the stereotypical mom response to a kid wanting to do something just because their peers are doing it too. But sometimes giving in to peer pressure is a good thing, like in the case of seat belt use. The 2018 Minnesota Seat Belt Survey shows that 92 percent of us wear our seat belts in the front seat. The numbers are similar for our kids, too: In Minnesota crashes from 2013 to 2017 in which children ages 0-7 were properly restrained, 87 percent of them were not injured...
Sept. 13
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “driving while intoxicated?” You probably get a vision of someone having a few too many drinks at a bar or party, thinking they’re more sober than they are, and getting behind the wheel – often with disastrous and even deadly consequences. But alcohol isn’t the only substance that can intoxicate a person, and the presence of those other substances may not be as obvious, especially to the untrained eye. Fortunately, there are 224 well-trained eyes here in Minnesota. That’s 224 law enforcement officers from 112 agencies...
Sept. 10
There’s not much time left in this year’s motorcycle riding season, so you’re likely taking every opportunity to get on your bike and enjoy the crisp (well…sometimes downright cold) fall air and what beautiful fall colors are left. But along with turkeys and pumpkin spice everything, the season brings with it unique dangers to a motorcycle rider. There is much less daylight. Wet leaves can be slick on the roadway. And deer are out in droves. There have been 46 motorcyclists killed so far in 2018. Of those motorcyclists killed in crashes, 74 percent (34 riders) weren’t wearing a helmet...
Sept. 6
Labor Day weekend is over, and suddenly everything seems different. The air is a little chillier. A few leaves are starting to turn yellow. And, even if you don’t have kids, you’ve probably noticed your neighborhood crawling with school buses again. Yes, folks, school is now in session. If you’re worried about whether students are safe on those big yellow buses, consider this: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for kids. In fact, kids are eight times safer on their school bus than they are in any other vehicle...
Aug. 30
It’s heartbreaking when a law-enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty. It’s even tougher when the death is as preventable as Corporal Ted Foss’. Trooper Foss, a member of the Minnesota State Patrol, was conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 90 when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. That tragedy happened on August 31, 2000, and a law bearing his name was enacted in 2001. But this year, it was strengthened...