Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) is an organization of citizens and State officials who have been working “to create a culture in which traffic fatalities and serious injuries are no longer acceptable”. The Minnesota TZD is the state’s cornerstone traffic safety program. TZD was launched in 2003 with the hope of reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that involves education, engineering, traffic enforcement, and emergency medical and trauma services. The Northeastern Minnesota branch of TZD was formed in 2010 and is active in Atkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and Saint Louis Counties.
The leading cause of traffic deaths and injuries are, not surprisingly, alcohol, distracted driving, lack of seatbelt use and speed. TZD has been building a coalition and working with partners across the state in an effort to address these concerns. Key accomplishments include a 33% reduction in traffic deaths since 2003 and the passage of stronger traffic safety laws, including increased seatbelt use, graduated driver licenses, ignition interlocks and laws to discourage texting while driving. In addition, TZD has worked to establish a statewide trauma system enabling 98% of Minnesotans to reach a trauma hospital within 60 minutes.
The Northeastern Minnesota TZD program will be holding a Stakeholders meeting at the Lake County Highway Building (1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors MN) on January 18th at 10:00 AM. Interested residents are invited to attend. Further information can be obtained by calling 218-830-1477, by emailing Rahya Geisler (DOT) at rahya.geisler@state.mn.us or by visiting the TZD website at www.minnesotaTZD.org
