2021 Minnesota TZD Webinar Series: Data, Diversity, and Carefully Crafted Messages—Creating an Impactful Traffic Safety Campaign

Monday, November 8, 2021

About the Webinar

Do you ever wonder why traffic safety data, as shocking as it is, isn’t enough to change driver behavior? Are you at a loss for how to structure a traffic safety campaign so that it does change behavior?

This webinar discussed change resistance and barriers to traffic safety messaging, when and where data can be leveraged, who to partner with, and how to craft a communication message that impacts traffic safety. As a real-life example, speakers delved into the hands-free law, reviewed what they have been seeing on our roadways, and created a message asking Minnesotans to recommit to going hands-free.

Webinar Recording & Materials

Speakers

Moderator

Meredith Mitts, Public Affairs Specialist, AAA Minnesota-Iowa, The Auto Club Group

Presenters

Eric DeVoe is a senior research analyst with MnDOT’s Office of Traffic Engineering. DeVoe works at the intersection of crash data and environmental justice, distilling complex data into effective safety plans and projects. He currently administers the Highway Safety Improvement Program. He holds a degree in economics and history from the University of Minnesota.

Vijay Dixit traded his professional career for social advocacy on November 1, 2007, after a distracted driver killed his 19-year-old daughter Shreya. The tragedy propelled the Dixit family to establish Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit guided by the mission to transform driving culture at the grassroots level. Since its inception in 2008, the Shreya Foundation has developed distraction-free driving technology solutions and educational programs under Dixit’s leadership. In April 2016, Dixit published One Split Second, a highly researched book about how to fix the epidemic of distracted driving. In her foreword, US Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota described the book as “a call to action, written with heart.” In 2017, Minnesota TZD recognized Dixit’s work by selecting him for the TZD Star Award for Education.

Allison Hawley started working with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety in 2016 as a research analyst, and in March 2021, she accepted the position of MNCrash administrator. She has a background in both archaeology and biological anthropology, with a BA in anthropology from the University of Minnesota and an MA in biological anthropology from the University of West Florida. In her free time, she is a theater, film, and voice-over actress.

Lisa Kons is the traffic programs manager for the Minnesota Safety Council, where she has worked for 28 years. She works primarily developing, coordinating, and implementing traffic safety programming. She currently serves as the state coordinator for Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, which focuses on providing traffic safety resources and opportunities to employers, media outlets, and traffic safety partners throughout the state. Kons serves as a legislative advocate for transportation-related issues and has served on many traffic safety strategic planning and advisory committees. In 2018, she received the Minnesota TZD Distinguished Public Leadership Award, which recognizes leaders who have influenced traffic safety policy directions that benefit society. She holds a bachelor’s degree in training and development.

Captain Jon Olsen has served as the commander of the Minnesota State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section for the last six years. Since joining the State Patrol in 2004, he has held various positions within the agency, working in both rural Greater Minnesota and St. Paul freeway stations. He has also been a commercial vehicle inspection trooper, field training officer, field lieutenant, and a federal grants coordinator, and he has worked on various technology projects. Captain Olsen received his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and psychology from Mankato State University.

Credit

Attendees are eligible for 1.0 POST credit, 1.25 Professional Development Hours (PDHs), and 1.25 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.

PDH form (PDF)
CLE credit form (PDF)
POST Proof of Completion form (PDF)
This form does not need to be submitted; it is for your records only.
POST Affidavit of Attendance (DOC)
Please submit this form to tzd@umn.edu by March 31, 2022, to receive credit if you watched the webinar live or recorded. If the webinar was viewed with a group, please include all individuals' information. If you choose to fill in the form by hand, please print clearly.

More Information

For more information about the webinar, please contact Linda Dolan at ldolan@umn.edu.