Another year is winding down and during this season of holiday giving, I’m putting on my Santa hat and checking off my own traffic safety “naughty” and “nice” list.
The good news is there are many more people and organizations on the “nice” list than are featured on the “naughty” ledger. That said, as traffic safety professionals we know our job is to move those naughty list drivers to the “nice behind the wheel” roster through education and enforcement.
On the 2025 “nice” list:
- Minnesota drivers who keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, their eyes on driving and their speed at the posted limit every time they get behind the wheel.
- The victims and family members who bravely share the heart-wrenching stories of the impact of crash deaths and injuries, putting a human face on statistics and changing behaviors.
- Our Minnesota State Patrol, local police forces, county sheriff’s departments and others whose work helps make our roads safer.
- Organizations like Toward Zero Deaths, Governors Highway Safety Association, the National Safety Council and our own Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety who deliver and promote traffic safety education.
- Supporters of traffic safety education programs like the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, State Farm, AAA, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and many others.
And on this year’s “naughty list:”
- Those who, despite the Minnesota’s six-year-old hands-free law, continue to drive with their cellphones in their hands and with multiple other distractions – some of which are hard to believe!
- Drivers who fail to slow down in work zones, putting the lives of roadside workers and occupants of other vehicles at risk. In 2023, 11 people died in Minnesota work zone crashes.
- Those who get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol and other legal and illegal substances.
- The 5.3% of Minnesota drivers who still fail to wear their seatbelts. In 2024, 78 fatal crashes involved unbelted individuals.
As I write this, Minnesota crash deaths are down significantly from last year’s preliminary 477. That’s great news and a tribute to your work throughout the year. That said, the holiday season now underway through the new year can be especially challenging with typically 42% more crashes during New Year’s holiday week, compared to an average day.
Thank you for all of the “nice” you do each day to keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe throughout the year.
Yours in Traffic Safety,
Lisa
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