August 29: Making the grade: It’s time to get an education on school bus safety
August 25: Meet the troops: Join the crowd for State Patrol Day at the Minnesota State Fair
August 22: A behind-the-scenes look at a State Fire Marshal Division fire investigation
August 18: DWI: The unsung victims
August 15: Heroin: It’s not just rock stars and city junkies
August 11: Strength in numbers: Partnerships for disaster relief
August 8: The 811 Run: Race for a number that saves lives
August 4: Motorcycle deaths: What the statistics tell us
August 1: What do you do behind the wheel?
Making the grade: It’s time to get an education on school bus safety
August 29
School is back in session for many students and that means drivers have to once again get used to sharing the road with those big yellow buses.
You’d think it would be easy to safely travel in the same space with such a large and heavy vehicle. They’re easy to see. They have flashing lights. We know they’re carrying precious cargo. Motorists should proceed with caution, right?
Problem is, drivers are more distracted. So are the kids getting on and off those buses. Everyone is rushing from point A to point B. All the more reason motorists and students need to take bus safety seriously as the school year kicks into gear.
School bus crashes in Minnesota increased 14 percent last year, up from 806 in 2014 to 690 in 2015. Not surprisingly, 70 percent of school bus crashes last year happened between 6 and 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. during the months of September through May.
Here is some info for you to study up on. There won’t be a pop quiz, don’t worry, but knowing this information and passing it along the students and young people you care about could save a life.
Motorists
- In Minnesota, motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights or a stop arm when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.
- Motorists should slow down, pay attention and anticipate school children and buses, especially in neighborhoods and school zones.
- The best way to be aware of your surroundings at all times is to put the distractions away.
Students
- When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder.
- Wait for the bus driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
- When crossing the street to get on the bus or to go home, make eye contact with motorists before proceeding.
Meet the troops: Join the crowd for State Patrol Day at the Minnesota State Fair
August 25, 2016
There’s just something about that maroon hat and the men and women wearing it. It draws a crowd. And what better place to draw a crowd than the Minnesota State Fair?
That is where you’ll find dozens of troopers and their maroon hats on Monday — State Patrol Day at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
State Patrol Day first started in 2004 to give the public an opportunity to interact with troopers, ask questions and remind people that the State Patrol is here to serve and help the people of Minnesota.
The maroon hat is just the beginning of what the State Patrol has in store for Monday’s fairgoers. Always wanted to meet a trooper or pick their brain about a certain topic? You’ll have the chance to do that Monday.
You can also check out an array of tools troopers use to keep our roadways safe. Stop by for an up-close look at a State Patrol helicopter, special response tactical gear and vintage squad cars and motorcycles.
You can also see first-hand a crash reconstruction project, a DWI testing station, and learn how truck traffic stays safe and legal. One of the most eye-opening demonstrations troopers offer is a simulated rollover crash. If you have any doubt about the importance of seat belts, this demo is for you.
Meet state troopers and specialists, including commercial vehicle inspectors, Capitol security officers, radio communication operators and Special Response Team members.
Stage shows throughout the day will feature drug detection K-9 demonstrations and airbag deployment, and fatal vision goggles show the dangers of impaired driving.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of events:
- Drunk goggle demonstration: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Airbag/seat belt demonstration: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- K-9 demonstration: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Displays of classic squads and patrol motorcycles: All day.
We’ll have plenty of giveaways so make sure you grab your food-on-a-stick and head to Expo Place at the north end of the fairground between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The troopers won’t be hard to find. Just look for the sea of maroon hats amidst the crowd.
‘This is not Hollywood:” A behind-the-scenes look at a State Fire Marshal Division fire investigation
August 22, 2016
The movies make it all look so simple — and fast. A fire investigator strolls up to a scene, picks up a few pieces of debris and voila! They know the fire was caused by Col. Mustard in the library with the candlestick.
But as veteran State Fire Marshal Division Investigator Ron Rahman will tell you — and show you in the
latest video from our Department of Public Safety Mic’d Up series — that is nowhere near what happens.
You’ll see in this behind-the-scenes video of an actual fire investigation that the process takes a lot of time, patience, hard work, dedication, knowledge, partnerships and resources.
As Rahman puts it: “This is not Hollywood.”
The type of building, the number of jurisdictions involved and whether or not there is pending litigation all can impact the length of an investigation. Also, these investigators are working with evidence that is many times burned beyond recognition. They need to sift through ashes and dust to find what they are looking for — and sometimes what they are looking for something as small as a grain of sand. This evidence is then sent to a lab where it needs to be analyzed, another step that takes time.
Our investigators must follow the guidelines in the most current edition of the National Fire Protection Association Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. There are hundreds and hundreds of guidelines.
Ask any investigator and they’ll tell you their No. 1 goal is to find answers to help provide closure to the people affected by the blaze, whether they lost a friend, loved one, family pet, their home or their belongings.
Investigators want to find those answers quickly but nothing can be left to chance. This isn’t a guessing game.
Investigating fires is one of the most important things the SFMD does and it’s something the investigators take very seriously. They take pride in doing a thorough and professional job.
You’ll see when you watch the video that it’s not as easy as it seems on TV.
DWI: The unsung victims
August 18, 2016
When we think about crashes caused by drunk drivers, we often think of the victims who die as a result. Same with the media: A DWI crash most often makes the news when someone is killed. And of course, those tragedies are worthy of our notice, in hopes they don’t happen again. But they aren’t the only victims of drunk drivers.
Take, for example, Erica Bodell and her three children. On Nov. 21, 2015, a drunk driver in Isanti County hit their vehicle head-on. Erica’s two sons suffered severe injuries, while her daughter Havana, who spent three months at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare recovering, was paralyzed.
Although the Bodells are fortunate to have escaped with their lives, those lives will certainly never be the same as a result of that drunk driver’s selfish choice to get behind the wheel. And they’re not alone: Each year, an average of 253 life-changing injuries involve alcohol-related crashes. And in the last five years (2011 – 2015), there were 462 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota, with 95 people killed in 2015 alone.
That’s why Bodell decided to speak out about the crash for the first time in a news conference today. You can see the recorded version on the
Department of Public Safety’s YouTube channel. The news conference kicked off enhanced DWI enforcement on Minnesota’s roads from Aug. 19 through Sept. 5. And considering that, from 2011 through 2015, an average of 27,000 drivers were arrested each year for DWI, Bodell’s message has merit.
She’s hoping that her story encourages people to think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. She doesn’t want anyone’s life to change ever again – either by severe injury or by ending altogether – because of drunk driving.
Heroin: It’s not just rock stars and city junkies
August 15, 2016
What do you think of when you hear the word “heroin”? Rock stars like Jim Morrison or Jimi Hendrix, trying to deal with increasing fame and fortune by using dangerous illicit drugs? If you do, you’re probably not alone. Unfortunately, though, heroin use is not unique to the rich and famous – in fact, it’s not even unique to city dwellers. It’s happening in your own backyard, and it’s killing people.
In 2011 in Minnesota, authorities seized 8 pounds of heroin. By 2015, that number had more than doubled to 18 pounds. That’s a staggering 82,120 doses. So why is it suddenly so much more popular?
Some authorities think it may be linked to the overall opioid drug abuse epidemic. Inappropriate use of prescription opioid pain relievers is on the rise, and can be the beginning of a road that ends with heroin addiction and death. To make matters worse, some recent shipments of heroin coming into Minnesota have been laced with a synthetic opioid called Fentanyl, which makes it stronger and adds to its already considerable danger.
Heroin comes in several forms, including white or brown powder, folded up in small packets called “bindles,” and as a sticky black substance called black tar. Users inject it, smoke it, or snort it, and often develop high tolerances quickly, so that they require more and more of it to achieve the same high. And since large doses of heroin can cause the lungs to stop working, fatal overdoses are common. Because it is an illicit drug (as opposed to prescription medication, which is regulated), it’s impossible to tell how strong it is from one batch to the next. The same amount that merely gave you a high yesterday could kill you today.
In fact, 114 Minnesotans died of heroin overdoses in 2015 alone, many of whom lived outside the Twin Cities area. So how can you and your loved ones avoid a similar fate? You can start by being very careful with prescription drugs, especially painkillers, and taking them only as your doctor directs you to. Also, if you have prescription medication you no longer need, you can call your local law enforcement agency to find out where to dispose of it so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. And you can also report any drug activity you see in your community to the local authorities.
Strength in numbers: Partnerships for disaster relief
Posted August 11, 2016
You see it almost every summer on the news: some warehouse or school gym converted to a shelter with rows and rows of cots, families escaped from a natural disaster with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Maybe you’ve donated money or toiletries in an effort to contribute to the community’s recovery. Maybe you’ve even volunteered.
But for many people, these fleeting images are all they know about the intricate machine that is
disaster relief. Its inner workings are a mystery. So how does that machine’s cogs come together and get put in gear?
When a disaster strikes, victims can call 211 to be connected to essential community services. Their information is put into a computer system that volunteer agencies all across Minnesota have access to. They look at all the requests and determine which ones they can fulfill based on their resources and strengths, then deploy their services within hours of the storm. You can think of them as being in the middle of a three-stage disaster recovery for private citizens: first responders, volunteer organizations, insurance companies. This is especially important for vulnerable populations that can’t help themselves, such as the elderly, disabled, and low-income.
A group called
Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MNVOAD) works with Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) to determine the needs of a community and what resources are available to get them the help that they need. HSEM and MNVOAD conduct a conference call with emergency managers to discuss the critical needs, what’s necessary and what parts the voluntary agencies can help with.
The most recent example of these partnerships in action was the July 21 storm in Duluth. HSEM worked with MNVOAD so volunteers could help clear downed trees, cut up debris and supply equipment for those tasks, and involved such volunteer groups as Christian Aid Ministries, Team Rubicon, Headwaters Relief Organization, NECHAMA, Catholic United Support, Salvation Army and Red Cross (who helped with feeding and hydration of volunteers and first responders). This important work is still taking place almost three weeks later. In fact, these organizations often provide help for weeks and even months after a storm.
Next time you see those rows of cots in a school gymnasium on the news and
want to help, consider doing so with a monetary donation rather than unsolicited goods such as clothing or canned food, because there is a cost involved in transporting the latter to the people who need it (assuming that it is, in fact, something they need, which is not always the case). If you’re close enough, consider volunteering through a MNVOAD organization. There is, after all, strength in numbers.
The 811 Run: Race for a number that saves lives
August 8, 2016
When you think about phone numbers that can save lives, the one that immediately comes to mind is 911. But what about 811? Calling before you dig may not seem glamorous or exciting, but it’s an important safety measure. It’s a free service that marks your utility lines at no cost, so that whether you’re planting a new garden or building that dream deck, you can rest assured you won’t inadvertently cause a deadly gas leak or electrocute yourself.
But 811 isn’t nearly as well-known as 911, which is why awareness is key—and that’s where the 811 Run comes in. It takes place on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Lake Calhoun, and the five-kilometer run/walk starts at—you guessed it—8:11 a.m. There’s also a kids’ run that starts an hour later. Stick around after the run for an awards ceremony, prize giveaway and family safety fair. All proceeds from the 811 Run will go to Twin Cities Firefighters Operation Warm, an organization that provides warm winter coats to children in need.
The 811 Run isn’t the only way of spreading the word about the importance of calling 811 before you dig to avoid hitting underground utility lines. The I-35W and Lowry Avenue bridges will be lit green on National 811 Day (which is, of course, Aug. 11, or 8/11). Gov. Mark Dayton has also signed a proclamation declaring that Aug. 11 is 811 Day in Minnesota.
Motorcycle deaths: What the statistics tell us
August 4, 2016
If you’ve ever thought it’s harder to see motorcycles on the road than other cars, you’re right. Because they’re smaller than cars, their speed and distance are more difficult to judge. And if you ride a motorcycle, you’ve no doubt felt invisible more than once.
Unfortunately, the numbers bear this out. Of the 26 fatal motorcycle crashes thus far in 2016, 16 of them involved another vehicle. That’s why public safety officials urge motorists to look twice for motorcycles before entering a roadway or changing lanes; and, when they are sharing the road with motorcyclists, they should give them room, check blind spots, pay attention and drive at safe speeds. Likewise, motorcyclists should be prepared for inattentive drivers by staying focused on riding and keeping their speed in check. In addition, they should always ride within their skillset (for example, avoid riding in the rain if you have little experience with wet road conditions), use good judgement, and maintain a three-second following distance.
Helmet use is also a major factor when it comes to surviving a motorcycle crash. The 26 motorcycle crashes so far this year have resulted in 29 deaths. Of those, 10 riders were wearing a helmet, but 18 were not (and one is an unknown). This makes it clear how important it is to wear a DOT-approved helmet and brightly-colored protective gear for visibility and protection when riding a motorcycle.
And although 19 of the motorcyclists in this year’s fatal crashes had valid motorcycle license endorsements or permits, four did not (and three are unknown). Public safety officials recommend taking a training course every couple years to dust off and improve their riding skills. There are courses available for advanced riders, not just beginners. Training is available April through September, with some courses running into October. Riders can find a training site and
register online here.
There were 61 motorcycle fatalities in 2015. If riders and drivers alike follow these safety tips, they’re less likely to become statistics to look back on next year.
What do you do behind the wheel?
August 1, 2016
We all have stuff to do. Phone calls to make. Emails to send. Meals to eat. And it often seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day, what with work, family, friends and other commitments. Which is why it’s so tempting to multi-task behind the wheel. Or think if we speed a little faster, we’ll save time. Or hurriedly buckle our kids in their car seats without double-checking that they’re secure.
But doing anything other than driving behind the wheel can get you killed, as evidenced by 2016’s 206 traffic deaths in Minnesota as of August 1. And although it’s not more than last year (Minnesota reached 216 road fatalities on August 1 of last year), it’s still not good. After all, even one traffic death is one too many.
Take, for example, the 25-year-old Rosemount man whose pickup rolled after he ran off the road and hit an embankment. He wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, and he paid for it with his life. Or the Cannon Falls couple who, along with their baby, died when their car was hit by an oncoming semi while they were trying to pass another vehicle.
What’s heartbreaking about these 200 deaths—and the thousands that came before them in preceding years—is that they are preventable. Buckling up, putting the distractions away, obeying speed limits, and designating a driver when drinking: These things save lives and are relatively simple to do.
But last year distracted driving deaths were up 21 percent and drunk driving deaths were up 8 percent, compared with 2014, which means there’s still work to do.
When you’re in the car, speak up: offer to send that text or find the perfect song on the radio for the driver so that he or she can concentrate on the road. Make sure everyone has a safe ride home when you’re out with friends, or offer your couch if you’re hosting the party. Buckle up, and remind everyone else to as well.
Because even though multi-tasking behind the wheel seems like a great way to save time, all the saved time in the world won’t help you in a deadly crash.
