OTS: A choice that can change everything

For some victims of distracted driving, there is no second chance. No first high school dance. No college degree. No other firsts to excitedly collect. Because of someone else's choice.

Shane, Qiara and Lilyana are three of the 21 people who died in distracted-driving-related crashes in 2025 in Minnesota.

This April — Distracted Driving Awareness Month — our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and hundreds of officers across the state are asking motorists to pay attention and prevent the tragic crashes that happen each day.

Learn more about Shane, Qiara and Lilyana.

 

ECN: From landlines to cell phones

For Mark Lallak, the evolution of 911 is personal. He watched it happen in real time from behind the dispatch console.

When Lallak was working as a 911 telecommunicator in the ’90s, most calls came from landlines. Because the phone numbers were associated with fixed locations, dispatchers had a name and address associated with each phone number. If someone called in, first responders almost always knew where they needed to go.

Then as cell phones emerged, everything changed.

Read about the latest technology 911 dispatchers use. 

 

 

 

Commissioner's Corner: Navigating resources for crime victims

Falling victim to a crime is a scary experience, and our Office of Justice Programs (OJP) knows how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath. That’s why we offer resources to help you find support, mental health services, financial assistance and information about the legal process. 

This National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19 to 25, learn about your rights and how to advocate for yourself.

See the OJP resources available to you.

 

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One, two, maybe three? Should I drive after that many drinks? How much is too much? If you think you’re OK to drive after asking those questions, you’re probably not. In Chisago, local law enforcement met with people at Scooters Pub and Grill to show them the best answer is to plan for a sober driver. 

The consequences of impaired driving can be tragically life-changing, so don’t hold out for luck to get you home. Plan ahead. Drive sober or get pulled over.

Follow DPS on Instagram and learn more about staying safe on the road.