Longtime traffic safety advocate Kathy Cooper was recognized this week for her commitment to saving lives on Minnesota's roads. Cooper, the coordinator of Rice County's Safe Roads Coalition since 2007, has been awarded the Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award by Toward Zero Deaths (TZD), the state Department of Public Safety announced. This accolade pays homage to Cooper's leadership in improving road safety, her ability to forge partnerships, and her talent for mentoring others in the field.
Cooper's involvement in traffic safety advocacy is deeply personal. Her daughter, Meghan, merely 15 years old, died as an unbelted passenger in an crash involving an impaired driver on June 9, 1999. Her loss spurred Cooper to dedicate her life to the cause, fighting for stricter traffic laws, particularly regarding seat belt usage. Noteworthy, is her role in implementing Minnesota's primary seat belt law, which went into effect on the decade anniversary of her daughter's death, according to Rice County's announcement.
In addition to her legislative advocacy, Cooper has been instrumental in establishing several community safety programs. These include the JOYRIDE sober cab initiative during Northfield’s Defeat of Jesse James Days and the coordination of educational mock crashes and safety fairs at local high schools. "Kathy is a tireless advocate for traffic safety," said Deb Purfeerst, a member of the Rice County Safe Roads Coalition and Public Health Director, in a statement cited by Rice County's news release. Purfeerst emphasizes Cooper's ability to drive and inspire the community and law enforcement alike toward the shared mission of zero fatalities on the road.
Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas also praised Cooper's influence on local safety efforts. "She’s our motivator and biggest supporter, always reminding us that our work as law enforcement and as a coalition – telling drivers to buckle up, drive the speed limit and put away distractions -- makes a real difference in people’s lives," Thomas told Rice County. Cooper's holistic approach to traffic safety and her persistent advocacy continues to be a vital part of Minnesota's road safety initiatives as the community acknowledges her long-standing impact.
