Expand the sections below to see complete session details and presentation materials from the conference. Presentation slides are posted with speaker permission; not all sessions have slides available.
You can also download a printable version of the program (PDF).
Tuesday, November 14
8:30−10:15 a.m. • Conference Opening Session
Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Agency Commissioner’s Comments
Honor Guard
Detention Deputy Natalie Falls, Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
Trooper Cody Kisor, Minnesota State Patrol
Detention Deputy Chris Meyers, Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
Officer Matt Venteicher, Rochester Police Department
Speakers
Mike Hanson, Minnesota TZD Program Co-chair, and Director, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Mayor Kim Norton, City of Rochester
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Opening Plenary: High in Plain Sight—Current Drug and Impaired Individual Trends
Speaker
Jermaine Galloway, Tall Cop Says Stop
This session gave attendees the ability, knowledge, and confidence to identify individuals who are abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Attendees were taught the strategies and different terms consistent with alcohol and/or drug abuse. Several identifiers, logos, and terms commonly related to drug (illegal and over the counter) and alcohol abuse, marijuana abuse, and drug concealment on school, home, and work property were discussed with the assistance of a multitude of visual aids.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
10:45 a.m.−noon • Concurrent Sessions
Session 1: TZD for First Responders—Traffic Incident Management Training
Moderator
Katy Kressin, West Central TZD Regional Coordinator
Speaker
John McClellan, Metro Freeway Operations, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of traumatic death for police, fire, EMS, and tow operators. This TIM training shared best practices to improve safety for crash victims, responders, and other vehicles on the road.
Materials
Session 2: CPSTs on the Front Line—Product Updates
Moderator
KaRee Liimatainen, FDL Human Services
Speakers
Daniella Brown, UPPAbaby
Vera Fullaway, Safe Traffic System Inc.
Tony Jerisha, KidsEmbrace
Eve Miller, Evenflo
Bob Wall, Nuna Baby Essentials Inc.
Child safety seats are constantly changing. Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are on the “front line,” working every day to ensure parents and caregivers know how the newest restraints work to protect their precious cargo. Attendees learned about the latest child restraint updates directly from the manufacturers as they showed off their latest products.
Materials
Session 3: Automotive Technologies
Moderator
Scot Edgeworth, East Metro TZD Regional Coordinator
Speakers
Kelli Cassidy Friese, Ed’s Collision & Glass and St. Cloud State University–Minnesota Highway Safety Research Center
Yash Dagade, Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation
Abhi Nallamalli, Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation
Tara Olds, Connected and Automated Vehicles Office, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Leah Walton, National Transportation Safety Board
This session looked at the growing influence of value-added automotive components, both for comfort and for safety, and the motives that led to their development. Safety components continue to have a positive impact on reducing crashes. Speakers discussed the implications of these components and how they can help drivers be safer on the road, as well as the impact of vehicle safety technology on road fatalities and injuries. This session also discussed roadway crash investigations that produced safety recommendations, highlighting automotive technologies as well as what research and demonstration work is underway in Minnesota to help people learn about new technology. Lastly, teens showcased EyeDA, an intelligent technology for traffic and safety that merges cutting-edge hardware, innovative software, and advanced road data analysis.
Materials
Friese's presentation slides (PDF)
Olds' presentation slides (PDF)
Walton's presentation slides (PDF)
Session 4: Minnesota’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment
Moderator
Derek Leuer, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Speakers
Matt Dyrdahl, Alta Planning & Design
Sonja Piper, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Minnesota just completed the Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment, an addendum to the Strategic Highway Safety Plan, as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This assessment analyzed the state’s vulnerable road-user crashes and developed a data dashboard for everyone. The project team documented MnDOT’s work surrounding the safety of vulnerable road users, highlighted what still needs to be done, and identified project strategies and programs.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Session 5: Supporting the E’s Through Innovative Programs, Partnerships, and Packaging
Moderator
Bill Van Koevering, East Central TZD Regional Coordinator
Speakers
Commander Kat Brown, St. Paul Police Department
Jeff Lenz, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Shonette Micco, BS, EMT, CPST-I, Regions Hospital
Brenda Pohlman, Fillmore County Public Health
This session included three speakers sharing innovative approaches to traffic safety that have a direct positive impact on traffic safety behavior. Speakers highlighted novel approaches, partnerships, and resources surrounding impaired driving, child passenger safety, teen drivers, cannabinoids, and more.
Materials
Lenz's presentation slides (PDF)
Micco and Brown's presentation slides (PDF)
Pohlman's presentation slides (PDF)
Sessions 6–8: Legal Drugs of Abuse
Moderator
Mike Hanson, Minnesota TZD Program Co-chair, and Director, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speaker
Jermaine Galloway, Tall Cop Says Stop
Back by popular demand, Jermaine Galloway took a deep dive into recent drug trends including gas station heroin, kratom, over-the-counter drugs, and drugs of abuse that are found in local stores, including those in rural counties.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
1:45−3:00 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Session 9: Improving Intersection Safety Through the Safe System Approach
Moderator
Joe Gustafson, Washington County Public Works
Speakers
Joe DeVore, KLJ Engineering
Ken Johnson, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Vic Lund, St. Louis County
One of the most effective strategies to improve the safety of intersections is to reduce vehicle conflict points that typically result in serious crashes such as angle conflict points. In this session, Vic Lund presented on the practical application of the Safe System Approach to intersection design and how site-specific crash modification factors are needed. Joe Devore presented on how vehicle conflict points can be evaluated in a more detailed way by using the Federal Highway Administration’s modeling tools, as well as how the evaluation of vehicle conflict points can lead to innovative and effective safety solutions.
Materials
DeVore's presentation slides (PDF)
Johnson's presentation slides (PDF)
Lund's presentation slides (PDF)
Session 10: Legal Update
Moderator
Bill Lemons, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
David Bernstein, Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office
Amy Tripp-Steiner, Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office
This session covered legislative changes that affect DWI and traffic safety laws and reviewed important court decisions from the last year. Attendees got a preview of the next legislative session, potential legislative initiatives, and past legislative efforts. The panel discussed other court-related matters, changes to Minnesota’s marijuana law, and challenges with enforcing marijuana-impaired cases.
Materials
Session 11: It Takes a Village to Reach Zero—Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive Impaired Driving Program
Moderator
Stephanie Malinoff, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Speaker
Chuck DeWeese, Responsibility.org
There is no silver bullet to eliminate alcohol-related and drugged-driving crashes from our roadways. Rather, it requires a comprehensive approach that involves partnerships, training, strong laws, effective technology, and a willingness to try new approaches. This session offered resources and a checklist to ensure attendees are trying everything to end impaired driving tragedies on Minnesota roadways.
Materials
Session 12: CPS—Let Your Data Do the Talking! Use Your Data to Highlight Your CPS Program Goals and Achievements
Moderator
Jasmine Wangen, Altru Health System
Speaker
Jennifer Booge, National Digital Car Seat Check Form
With over 100,000 recorded seat checks and counting, the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) is your source for CPS use and misuse data. This session explored ways to use the NDCF data to improve car seat programs.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 13: DWI—From Arresting to Testing
Moderator
Nick White, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Deputy Jamie Meyer, Mower County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Tyler Milless, Minnesota State Patrol
Vanessa Perez, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
This session walked through the entire DWI process, from roadside observations to how biological samples are tested at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Attendees learned how road officers and the BCA can work together to ensure a DWI case is properly completed and how to interpret the BCA report
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Session 14: Teens Toward ZERO Together
Moderator
Susan Johnson, Northwest TZD Regional Coordinator
Speakers
Rosaline Groven, Key Club, Lincoln High School
Stacey Leake, Key Club, Lincoln High School
Mikaleena Bernier, Thief River Falls High School, Pennington County Teen TZD
Avery Koop, Thief River Falls High School, Pennington County Teen TZD
Miranda Novak, Thief River Falls High School, Pennington County Teen TZD
Kennedy Panek, Goodridge High School, Pennington County Teen TZD
Ali Yuska, Thief River Falls High School, Pennington County Teen TZD
This session shared and discussed how two schools in Pennington County work together with engineering, education, enforcement, EMS, and mental health specialists around the region to create the Teen TZD (TTZD) Conference. Their goal is educating and guiding teens to make better choices in and outside of a vehicle to reduce the two top killers of teens—car crashes and suicide. Panelists talked about the TTZD conference, session topics, and the positive data and information they have been gathering from surveys.
Materials
Session 15: Program Uptake and the Impact of a Safe Driving Program on DWIs, Related Crashes, and Fatalities
Moderator
Allison Nicolson, BSc, CTRS, CPSI, Essentia Health
Speakers
Kristin Colling, MD, Essentia Health
Melissa Harry, PhD, MSW, LGSW, Essentia Institute of Rural Health
Allison Nicolson, BSc, CTRS, CPSI, Essentia Health
Kaitlin Schaumburg, Essentia Health
St. Louis County is a “Deadliest 13” county in Minnesota because of impaired driving. The northeastern Minnesota JOYRIDE program, established in 2014 in southern St Louis and Carlton counties, provides reduced-cost taxi rides for intoxicated patrons. This session’s speakers shared the JOYRIDE model, its impact on DWI arrests and crashes, and advice on developing a program for improving awareness and public safety in rural Minnesota. Additionally, speakers reviewed motor vehicle and recreation vehicle crashes treated at Saint Mary’s Medical Center between 2016 and 2020. While rates of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes were relatively stable or decreased slightly over that time period, rates of ATV and snowmobile crashes increased significantly. Use of safety equipment significantly decreased the mortality rates, and speakers discussed risk factors for mortality and factors that may play into safety equipment use.
Materials
Colling and Harry's presentation slides (PDF)
Nicolson and Schaumburg's presentation slides (PDF)
Session 16: How to Message to Recreational Cannabis Consumers
Moderator
Kristine Hernandez, Statewide Minnesota TZD Program Manager
Speakers
Dave Boxum, Office of Communications, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council and the Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Karen Sprattler, Sprattler Group
This session reviewed a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Responsibility.org, and the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving—Cannabis Consumers and Safe Driving: Responsible Use Messaging. The report provides guidance on how we all can better communicate with cannabis consumers about safe driving and offers recommendations about the types of messages that do and don’t work. Attendees also heard how state and agency communications professionals are tailoring their messaging. Finally, speakers discussed how employers might adapt to employees using legal cannabis and answer “What are the seven ‘safety sensitive positions’ that are subject to closer scrutiny?”
Materials
Boxum's presentation slides (PDF)
Kons' presentation slides (PDF)
Sprattler's presentation slides (PDF)
3:30−4:30 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Session 17: State Active Transportation Programs to Promote Vulnerable-User Safety
Moderator
Kelly Corbin, Office of Transit and Active Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Speakers
Chris Brown, AICP, SRF Consulting
Kelly Corbin, Office of Transit and Active Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Will Wlizlo, Office of Transit and Active Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation
MnDOT’s Office of Transit and Active Transportation has new resources and funding to protect vulnerable road users. This session reviewed opportunities for TZD stakeholders to collaborate with cities, counties, school districts, and MnDOT in offering pedestrian and bicycle safety education and creating transportation action plans that address local concerns. Increasing safety for people walking, biking, and rolling will require thoughtful planning, robust education, sharp evaluation, and dignified active transportation infrastructure. This session provided more details on understanding the new legislative requirement for bicycle and pedestrian education in all Minnesota schools; finding funding for active transportation planning at a city, county, or school district level; a case study using data to identify high-priority safety improvement areas; and accessing infrastructure funding and implementing demonstration projects.
Materials
Session 18: BCA DWI Services
Moderator
Frank Scherf, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Mike Asleson, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Brent Nelson, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Troy Woltman, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Shauna Richardson, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
This session covered the latest in drug use and testing, previewed the DMT replacement project, discussed what’s new with eCharging, and shared useful tips to ensure attendees are using eCharging to its maximum potential.
Materials
Woltman's presentation slides (PDF)
Richardson's presentation slides (PDF)
Session 19: On the Road to Safer Senior Driving—How Aging Affects Driving and Things TZD E’s Should Know
Moderator
Annette Larson, South Central TZD Regional Coordinator
Speakers
Brian Harmon, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Joan Somes, Minnesota Emergency Nurses Association
Each day we grow older. Our bodies age physically and cognitively. These normal changes can affect driving skills and safety, especially in the baby boomer and older generations. Those over age 65 are the fastest-growing portion of Minnesota’s population. They are also entering their most vulnerable time when driving. This session explored changes that occur with aging, signs indicating these changes are happening—especially related to driving safety—and actions that can be taken to mitigate these changes. Each TZD “E” needs to be aware of these changes so they can plan for additional methods of keeping seniors mobile and safe on the roads.
Materials
Session 20: CPS—Safety Through Standards, Part 1 and Part 2
Moderator
Allison Nicolson, Essentia Health
Speaker
Vera Fullaway, Safe Traffic System Inc.
This session shared current information about child passengers in school buses, ambulances, and RVs—including what technicians should know about FMVSS 213 for improved curbside education with parents and caregivers.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 21: Proving DWI Impairment
Moderator
Bill Lemons, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
David Bernstein, Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office
Matthew Hartung, Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office
Lt. Andrew Martinek, Minnesota State Patrol
This presentation taught law enforcement and prosecutors how to effectively prove their DWI cases in court, including both alcohol and drug-related impairment. DWIs involving impairment by cannabis were specifically addressed.
Materials
Session 22: Understanding Grief—What to Say, What to Do, How to Help
Moderator
Lt. Gabe Cornish, Minnesota State Patrol
Speaker
Randy Stocker, Speaker and Author of Hugs Help: Our Story of Tragic Loss, Survival, and Helping Others
Loss and grief have widespread impact on personal well-being, workplace engagement, relationships, and more. Grieving is a dynamic and ever-changing process for both the griever and the supporter. This session offered some practical insights on how best to help while boosting your own resilience when those situations arise.
Materials
Session 23: Stop the Bleed
Moderator
Katy Kressin, West Central TZD Regional Coordinator
Speaker
Kaitlyn Roach, Life Link III
This session reviewed important skills such as how to use a tourniquet and pack a wound—skills that better prepared attendees to respond to a traumatic injury involving severe bleeding.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 24: Alcohol Safety is Traffic Safety
Moderator
Nick White, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Cleven Duncan, Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Shawn Hansen, Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Long-term trends show that Minnesotans understand that alcohol and driving don't mix, but in recent years, DWI’s have been increasing. This presentation looked at addressing the alcohol-impaired driving issue with a proactive approach through education at the retail level of the alcohol industry.
Materials
Closing Remarks
Speakers
Col. Matt Langer, TZD Leadership, and Chief, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Dylan Ferguson, Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Plenary Session: Post-Crash Care—The Severely Injured Victims’ Last Chance
Speaker
Dia Gainor, Executive Director, National Association of State EMS Officials
Post-crash care is one of the most novel aspects of the Safe System Approach—and is a new domain for the highway safety and transportation community to embrace. A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report indicates that 40 percent of crash fatalities were still alive when first responders arrived. So what can be done to improve 911, EMS, and trauma systems to prevent these deaths in the post-crash phase? This session provided an overview of the components critical to survival when severely injured people—the most vulnerable transportation system users—are appropriately resourced in well-designed systems. These 911 and EMS considerations reinforce the statement in the National Roadway Safety Strategy: “Our responsibility does not end when a crash occurs…caring for people injured in a crash to prevent their injuries from becoming fatal is just as critical.”
Materials
9:45−11:00 a.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Session 25: Multi-Modal Safety Influences
Speakers
Saumya Jain, Accessibility Observatory, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Eric Lind, Accessibility Observatory, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Hannah Prichard, Office of Transit and Active Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Investments in low-stress bicycle facilities (off-road, protected, and separated lanes) can allow riders to access more destinations in a given travel time. Research has identified the gap between what cyclists can reach using comfortable, safer bikeways and what might be available if the infrastructure covered more of the local street network. Many factors influence the outcome of driver-pedestrian interactions and driver yield rates, including traffic volume, vehicle speed, and the built environment, among others. For this research, pedestrian-driver interactions were observed to help identify the factors present at an intersection that led to higher driver yield rates.
Materials
Session 26: Safety Slogan Share
Moderator
Kat Vue, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Joe Albert, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Sheryl Cummings, Minnesota Operation Lifesaver
Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council and the Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Gene LaDoucer, AAA–The Auto Club Group
Attendees heard from roadway safety professionals from across Minnesota about influential campaigns used to spread roadway safety messages that emphasize good driving behaviors. This session featured the “Impaired is Impaired” campaign, AAA’s “Move Over for Me” campaign, Minnesota Operation Lifesaver’s messages to professional drivers about rail safety, and a collaboration between the Minnesota DNR and TZD on ATV safety. Session attendees learned about successful partnerships and roadway safety campaigns recently employed in Minnesota.
Materials
Session 27: 2023 Legislative Impacts—Unprecedented Change for Traffic Safety in Minnesota
Moderator
Stephanie Malinoff, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Speakers
Paul Aasen, Minnesota Safety Council
Mike Hanson, Minnesota TZD Program Co-Chair and Director, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Brian Sorenson, Minnesota TZD Program Co-Chair and State Traffic Engineer, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
The 2023 Minnesota legislative session ended with the passage of a number of policy and funding changes intended to improve transportation safety in Minnesota in the coming years. Legislation was passed to address high-risk rural roads, law enforcement training for impairment, sober cab rides, data analytics, and work zone safety as well as to create an Advisory Council for Traffic Safety. This session discussed the implementation of this important legislation.
Materials
Session 28: CPS—They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To
Moderator
Aimee Eggen, Norman County Public Health
Speakers
Daniella Brown, UPPAbaby
Vera Fullaway, Safe Traffic System Inc.
Tony Jerisha, KidsEmbrace
Eve Miller, Evenflo
Bob Wall, Nuna Baby Essentials Inc.
Participating car seat manufacturers described features and benefits for convenience, comfort, correct use, energy management, and injury reduction. Speakers demonstrated car seat use with audience members as well.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Session 29: The Anatomy of a Fatal Crash—Shock and Awe
Moderator
Becky Putzke, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Sgt. Adam Moore, South Lake Minnetonka Police Department
Officer Susie Schultz, Orono Police Department
Officers walked through a fatal crash involving an impaired driver and the twists and turns that can happen when dealing with a fatal crash. This session, which also covered what steps officers need to follow through on for a conviction, was designed to help and motivate officers in their impaired driving enforcement.
Materials
Session 30: Bracing for Street Racing—Collaborative Enforcement Strategies that Work
Moderator
Shannon Grabow, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Sgt. Tyler Abrahamson, Fridley Police Department
Lt. John Fritz, Minnesota State Patrol
Amy Tripp-Steiner, Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office
Lt. Tyler Uthe, Minnesota State Patrol
Street racing enforcement efforts are most effective when they focus on collaborative, all-encompassing, and strategic plans. Intelligence-based, supervisory-led enforcement operations target illegal street racing, roadway takeovers, and drifting. This session provided examples of case studies with successful outcomes. A glimpse into this underground culture, the operations used, investigative best practices, and challenges encountered was provided.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speakers for further information.
Session 31: Lessons Learned from an EMS Crash
Moderator
Julie Philbrook, Hennepin Healthcare
Speaker
Charles Sloan III, Hennepin EMS
Using film footage of actual ambulance crashes, a paramedic discussed which actions by the first responders may have put them at higher risk of a crash and changes that have since been Implemented. He also assessed the danger EMS equipment may pose in the event of a crash and how that danger can be minimized.
Materials
Session 32: The 2025–2029 Strategic Highway Safety Plan
Moderator
Nicole Bitzan, SRF Consulting Group
Speakers
Abdullahi Abdulle, Office of Transportation System Management, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Tim Burkhardt, Alliant Engineering, Inc.
Derek Leuer, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Minnesota is developing the next five-year Strategic Highway Safety Plan. This plan will help inform and direct millions of dollars of infrastructure spending, enforcement activities, and educational opportunities. This session explored what the process will entail, how attendees can get involved, and what this means for the next five years of traffic safety in Minnesota.
Materials
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Session 33: Developing a Safety Plan to Reduce Fatal and Serious-Injury Crashes on Roads Throughout Your Local Communities
Moderator
Renae Kuehl, SRF Consulting
Speakers
John Dostart, City of Altoona, Iowa
Devin Moore, Kimley-Horn
David Peterson, City of St. Paul
Kristi Sebastian, Minnesota Division, Federal Highway Administration
With a national and Minnesota increase in fatal and serious injury crashes, there is a greater need for systemwide assessment of the transportation system at the local level to improve roadway safety. The Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program, established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), provides $5 billion in funding over five years (2022-2026) in grants for safety planning and implementation of projects for regional, local, and tribal Community initiatives. This program supports the USDOT's National Roadway Safety Strategy and TZD’s goal of zero roadway deaths. This session discussed the Safe Streets and Roads Grant programs and experiences in developing a safety plan for both a large city and a small community.
Materials
Dostart's presentation slides (PDF)
Moore's presentation slides (PDF)
Peterson's presentation slides (PDF)
Sebastian's presentation slides (PDF)
Session 34: Working Together to Curb Speed
Moderator
Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council and the Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Speakers
Capt. Adam Fulton, Minnesota State Patrol
Allison Hawley, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Lisa Kons, Minnesota Safety Council and the Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS)
Jessica Schleck, Southeast TZD Regional Coordinator
In April of 2021, the Minnesota Speed Action Team came to fruition. Over the past two years this team has focused on strategies, activities, and tactics to curb the speed epidemic. This session reviewed outcomes of campaigns and subcommittees specifically developed by the team as well as discuss preliminary findings of the Minnesota Speed Behavior Research Study. This included an initial analysis of the various motivations and circumstances contributing to risky driving behaviors and effective ways to reach risky drivers through traffic safety messaging.
Materials
Session 35: School Bus Stop Arm
Moderator
Kristen Oster, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Jenifer Doyle, First Student
Rahya Geisler, Northeast TZD Regional Coordinator
Amy Howe
Lieutenant Brian Reu, Minneapolis State Patrol
School bus stop-arm cameras have been installed in school buses across the state to keep students safe as they travel to and from school. This session offered an overview of the program and explained how these cameras are working as a great prevention tool. The program coordinator discussed citations issued in the state before the program got started, comparing that to how things changed after cameras were installed. Attendees learned what school bus drivers had to do before cameras were readily available in order to report a stop-arm violator, reviewed what is captured now, and heard about the relationships fostered by the program between bus companies and law enforcement.
Materials
Session 36: CPS—Case Presentation
Moderator
Julie Philbrook, Hennepin Healthcare
Speaker
Andrew Waititu Kiragu, MD, FAAP, FCCM, Children's Minnesota
Dr. Kiragu walked through a case presentation on the injury, what happened, and why. He also discussed what could have potentially decreased the severity of these injuries.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 37: Cannabis…Into the Weeds We Go
Moderator
Duane Siedschlag, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speakers
Deputy Alex Graham, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Tyler Milless, Minnesota State Patrol
Participants learned about the recreational cannabis law in Minnesota and took a deep dive into cannabis, legislation, and field sobriety testing related to impairment.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 38: Remembering Our Fallen Officers and Staying Motivated During Tough Times
Moderator
Scott McConkey, Office of Traffic Safety, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Speaker
Lisa Gahler, South Central Minnesota Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team
Mark Griffith, South Central Minnesota Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team and Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties Safe Roads Coalition
Chaplain John Morris, Minnesota State Patrol
Sheriff Scott Rose, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Down Memorial Podcast
In remembering our fallen, we also honor the service and sacrifice made by the men and women currently serving our communities. How can officers stay motivated and deal with the grief and stress that comes with the profession, including personal loss? This session also shared options and programs to help law enforcement officers and first responders deal with critical incidents.
Materials
Session 39: Field Triage—Useful for More than Just Bus Crashes and Active Shooter Incidents
Moderator
Katy Kressin, West Central TZD Regional Coordinator
Speaker
Kaitlyn Roach, Life Link III
This session reviewed why field triage skills are important for public safety in any size community.
Materials
Presentation slides are not available for this session. Please reach out to the speaker for further information.
Session 40: Recent MnDOT Traffic Safety Evaluations
Moderator
Matt Knight, SRF Consulting Group
Speakers
Maxwell Moreland, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Mark Wagner, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation
This session covered recent safety evaluations conducted for sinusoidal rumble strips, changing speed limits from 55 to 60 mph, reflective signal backplates, and more, including updates on evaluations of J-turns and pedestrians at roundabouts. This presentation also reviewed recent transportation research syntheses on speed enforcement and traffic safety related to cannabis.
Materials
Moreland's presentation slides (PDF)
Wagner's presentation slides (PDF)