In an effort to curb the rising tide of traffic-related fatalities, Minnesota is rolling out high-riding pickups to police for a better view of bad driving. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is dishing out over $640,000 to nine law enforcement agencies to buy these specialized vehicles. "We need to get creative in how we're combating the unacceptable driving behaviors and rising deaths we're seeing on our roads," OTS Director Mike Hanson said, highlighting the urgent need for these traffic safety vehicles.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the grant will cover each participating agency’s cost of a pickup truck, which provides officers a better angle to spot drivers who are distracted, unrestrained by seat belts, or engaging in other hazardous driving antics. Benefiting from these grants are the Orono, St. Paul, and Blaine Police Departments, among others.
On the grim front, preliminary numbers indicate that traffic fatalities on Minnesota roads have surged to 84 in the first quarter of 2024, a stark 61 percent increase from the 52 deaths recorded during the same period in 2023. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson expressed his concern to the Department of Public Safety, "When we respond to a crash, we see far too often how a dangerous choice can take a life or seriously hurt the people involved. By then, it's too late." Torgerson hopes that the new vantage point offered by the traffic safety vehicles will enable early intervention, saving lives in the process, as per the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
The novel approach comes amidst a statewide campaign against distracted driving. Law enforcement agencies are actively participating in extra enforcement and awareness efforts through the end of April. Distracted driving has been a major concern, being a contributing factor in nearly 30,000 crashes in Minnesota from 2019-2023. An average of 29 deaths and 146 life-changing injuries per year have been credited to this peril over the same period, noted the Department of Public Safety.
Funding for the project was secured from the 2023 Minnesota Transportation Omnibus bill, mandating each agency to match 20 percent of the total equipment costs, which shows their commitment to the initiative. The new vehicles will not only be used for enforcement but are set to make educational appearances at local schools and events, driving home the message of safe driving across communities.
