Law enforcement turns up heat on unsafe driving

As the summer heats up, Douglas County Safe Communities Coalition is hitting the streets with a new traffic safety campaign: “Going out tonight? So are we.”

Local law enforcement and emergency services are featured on posters and banners alerting motorists to drive responsibly or there will be consequences.

Even though impaired driving and non-seat belt use will be targeted, a primary focus of this campaign is speeding.

According to the Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts published by the Office of Traffic Safety, the number-one contributor of serious injury and fatal crashes in Douglas County is speeding (2006-2008).

Impaired driving and non-seat belt use weren’t far behind.

According to the coalition, the reality is that traffic problems like speeding can best be addressed by the people most directly affected by its impact, local residents.

Now through Labor Day, the Coalition says it’s taking the safety of citizens to the next level by asking communities across the county to display campaign materials at upcoming festivals, in businesses, at softball fields and areas where the message would be highly visible.

Free “Going out Tonight? campaign materials are now available and can be requested online at www.dcsafecommunities.webs.com or by calling Misty at public health at (320) 762-2973.

“With the support and help of Douglas County citizens, the motoring public will know that law enforcement officers are on the roads this summer and have a zero tolerance to excessive speeding, impaired driving, and occupant protection violations,” the coalition stated in a news release.

Careless driving will not be taken lightly, the coalition added.

The Douglas County Safe Communities initiative brings area law enforcement, public health educators, engineers and emergency services together in an effort to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and severe injuries in Douglas County.

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