OTS was created in response to the federal Highway Safety Act of 1966.  States became eligible for federal assistance for state and community highway safety programs. Despite improvements in driver behaviors, vehicle design, roadway engineering, and enforcement strategies since that time, traffic crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for Minnesotans ages 1-34.

In 2004, OTS, in partnership with the Minnesota departments of health and transportation, developed the state’s cornerstone traffic safety initiative, the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota. That requires residents supporting a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes - education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical and trauma services.