March 08, 2010
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, thoughts of parades, wearing green, music and song, Irish food and drinking green beer come to mind.
As you plan to celebrate, consider your DUI.Q. Do you know how many drinks it takes before you are under the influence? How your weight affects your blood alcohol concentration? Or your gender? Or how many hours you've been drinking?
Find out what your DUI.Q. is by logging on to www.your-duiq.com and learn what your blood alcohol concentration is when you consume different types of alcohol. The amount of alcohol in a person’s body is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. This is called blood alcohol concentration or BAC.
Alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach and the small intestine, moves into the bloodstream, and throughout the body and brain.
Factors that affect your BAC are…
The number of drinks. The more you drink, the higher the BAC. Take note of the size of the glass or container the drink is in. It may be more than one serving.
Strength of drinks. No drink is “safer” than another. One 12-ounce beer has the same alcohol content as a 5-ounce glass of wine or 1 ¼ ounce shot of 80-proof liquor.
How fast you drink. When alcohol is consumed quickly, you will reach a higher BAC than when it is consumed over a longer period of time. Take small sips of your drink and try alternating drinks with a soda or water.
Your gender. Women generally have less water and more body fat per pound of body weight than men. Alcohol does not go into fat cells as easily as other cells, so more alcohol remains in the blood of women.
Your weight. The more you weigh, the more water is present in your body. This water dilutes the alcohol and lowers the BAC.
Food in your stomach. Absorption will be slowed if you’ve had something to eat. Try eating high protein foods like cheese and peanuts.
Emotional state. When a person is emotional or stressed, their body tends to divert blood away from the stomach and small intestines, and instead moves it to the muscles. This reduced blood flow slows the absorption of alcohol in the body.
Medication. Use alcohol carefully when taking prescription or even over-the-counter medication. Some medications can dramatically increase the effects of alcohol.
Remember…there’s no such thing as “driving a little buzzed.” If you’re “buzzed,” you’re driving under the influence---in other words, you’re drunk!
Before you celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day, know your limit, assign a designated driver or make someone your key boss. When you're out with friends, you're not just responsible for yourself. If you suspect that anyone in your group is impaired, join together to keep that person from driving.
Drink as a group, be responsible as a group.
Karla Heeter
Buffalo Hospital Foundation
Safe Communities of Wright County Board Member
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February 17, 2010
To whom it may concern:
This letter is concerning a very important topic in keeping our community safe. Distracted driving has become a considerable safety hazard on the roads that we travel daily. I can tell you as a high school principal that this has become more of an issue among teenage drivers than educating our students about the hazards and legalities of drinking and driving. Distracted driving can come from other people in the car, loud music, talking on a cell phone or worst of all, texting while driving. These all are major factors in distracting a driver which always creates an unsafe situation on the roads of our community. In the spring we will be hosting a mock car crash, and new this year, we will be implementing in the dialogue of the car crash that the driver will be texting while driving.
As a fellow community member it is my strong belief that we need to continue to educate drivers of all ages regarding this critical safety issue. With ever increasing new technology in the hands of our fellow citizens, this has created just another way for drivers to be distracted and potentially create a crash that could change the lives of many. We need to continue to reinforce good habits while driving and continually educate our drivers of the potential risks involved with distracted driving.
Sincerely,
Matthew W. Schoen
Principal, Delano High School
Safe Communities WC Board Member
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February 09, 2010
DWI: $20,000
SOBER CAB: Free
PUBLIC SAFETY: Priceless !!
We as a society have to change the mentality/culture that drinking and driving is acceptable behavior. We as a society have to change the mentality/acceptance that injury and death caused by an impaired driver is just an “accident.” It is not an “accident.” It is a “crash.” It is a “crime.”
Let us consider both murder and criminal vehicular homicide. If someone intentionally makes a decision (a choice) to take a gun and shoot a specific person we call that murder. However, if someone intentionally makes a decision (a choice) to have an alcoholic drink, than another drink, to the point of being under the influence, and then decides (chooses) to walk to their car, put the key in the ignition, start the car, put the gear shift into drive, put their foot on the gas pedal, put their hands on the steering wheel and direct the movement of their car and strike and kill someone we just call that criminal vehicular homicide. Yet, the only difference between murder and criminal vehicular homicide is that with murder you choose your victim and with criminal vehicular homicide you choose your victim randomly. I submit a 2500 pound vehicle being driven by an impaired person is as much a weapon as a gun. A 2500 pound vehicle being driven by an impaired driver can maim like a gun, can cripple like a gun and can kill like a gun.
With criminal vehicular cases people are killed or maimed as a direct result (consequence) of someone’s intentional actions and the choices they made. They choose to drink. They choose to drive. There are no intervening factors that one could label “accidental.” Those who choose to drink and drive show a callous disregard and a total indifference for the law and human life. It is sad that those killed and injured by impaired drivers had the right to be where they were, unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the impaired driver.
When a motor vehicle weighing thousands of pounds and traveling at just 55 mph covers 88 feet per second, I think society is entitled to a sober driver. When usually the only thing that protects us from those who choose to drive while impaired is six inches of paint that runs down the center of the roadway, I think society is entitled to a sober driver. Six inches of paint doesn’t do a very good job in protecting society from those who choose to drive while impaired.
We as a society should not tolerate drinking and driving. We all know the dangers. We have been educated. However, it continues at an alarming rate. In 2008 in Minnesota there were 163 people killed in alcohol-related crashes and another 2896 people were injured, some serious. During 2008 in Minnesota there were 35,736 people arrested for DWI. Unfortunately, these numbers remain somewhat constant even though we as a society think we know better. In Wright County every year we prosecute approximately 800 misdemeanor DWI cases, 400 gross misdemeanor DWI cases, 20 felony DWI cases and our share of criminal vehicular cases resulting in injury or death.
These statistics are not good. Law enforcement arresting, my office prosecuting and probation monitoring does not seem to be doing the job. That game plan is only reactive. We need to be proactive and that is why we are going to attempt Wright County SOBER CAB. It is our hope that SOBER CAB will help reduce the number of alcohol impaired drivers on the road, decrease alcohol-related crashes/crimes and improve county safety. SOBER CAB seeks to provide communities with new options that will allow people who have had too much to drink to get home safely and not pose a danger to the rest of us. If SOBER CAB can save one life the program will be successful.
Mike MacMillan, Director Wright County Court Services (Probation) became aware of the Isanti County SOBER CAB Program. Subsequently, MacMillan, Pat Hackman, Director Safe Communities of Wright County, Gary Miller, Wright County Sheriff, and I, Tom Kelly, Wright County Attorney, met with Isanti County District Court Judge James Dehn, who played an instrumental role in the Isanti County SOBER CAB Program. We were educated as to how a program worked and how successful the program has been. Carol Schefers, Director Wright County Public Health, also became involved and her department is supportive of our program.
We don’t know if we will be successful but nothing tried is still nothing. Therefore, we are going to attempt SOBER CAB because it is in the best interest of all of us that we do everything possible to try and keep our roadways safe. Given the mission for Safe Communities of Wright County is to reduce injuries and fatalities associated with traffic crashes in Wright County through safety education and prevention, Pat Hackman was willing to allow her agency to spearhead our program. For that, we are grateful.
Wright County SOBER CAB will first pilot the I-94 corridor including the cities of Clearwater, Monticello, St.Michael, Albertville and Otsego. Cab service availability was a factor in our pilot location for SOBER CAB but we hope to be successful and in the near future have the capability to expand throughout Wright County. I know that Police Chiefs, Mitch Weinzetl, of Buffalo, Jeff Herr, of Annandale, and Tracy Vetruba, of Howard Lake, support SOBER CAB.
The cost for SOBER CAB comes from the establishments that serve alcoholic beverages (1/3), liquor distributors (1/3) and community funding (1/3). SOBER CAB should not have a negative impact on the bars and restaurants financial bottom line and could actually reflect positively on the bottom line. That was the experience in Isanti County. If true, SOBER CAB would be a win-win situation. We hope to kick off the Wright County SOBER CAB in early Spring, 2010.
If you have an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages (bar/restaurant) and you are located on the I-94 corridor, I encourage you to contact Safe Communities of Wright County at 763-241-9888 or Email: safecommunitieswc@charter.net to learn more about Wright County SOBER CAB. We are asking for your participation and support. We all have an interest in the ultimate goal of making our roads safer. We are also asking for public support. Again, we don’t know if we will be successful, but the issue of drinking and driving is too grave to sit back and try nothing.
My goal was to introduce you to Wright County SOBER CAB and ask for your support. Further, to raise awareness that drinking and driving continues and so does the danger it poses to us all. Also, to change the mentality/acceptance that injury and death caused by an impaired driver is just a terrible “accident.”
Talk to each other and talk to your children on how dangerous it is to drive impaired. We need to separate drinking and driving. Help us change a mentality/culture that drinking and driving is acceptable behavior. If you are going out and said plans include alcohol, then you need to have a plan that will get you home safely without posing a danger to the public. Designated drivers are great. Hopefully, in the near future Wright County SOBER CAB can be a viable option.
Thank you for your support. Tom Kelly, Wright County Attorney
Safe Communities of Wright County News
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February 02, 2010
The Fatal Review Committee of Safe Communities of Wright County met recently to review fatal traffic crashes from 2009. Fourteen people lost their lives on roads in Wright County last year, compared to 15 people in 2008. The Minnesota Department of Pubic Safety has released a preliminary death count of 403 traffic fatalities statewide in 2009. This a significant drop in annual road fatalities for the State. Unfortunately, Wright County did not see that same significant drop.
Minnesota Crash Records revealed a pattern with the 2009 traffic fatalities in Wright County – the most common contributing factors in these crashes were alcohol involvement and the lack of seat belts or helmets. “The majority of fatalities in our County were completely preventable,” says Pat Hackman, executive director of Safe Communities of Wright County. “By driving sober and wearing a seat belt many of these fatalities, and even the crashes themselves, could have been totally avoided.”
Drivers can make a big difference by buckling up, driving sober, maintaining posted speeds, and concentrating on the task at hand (driving).
The Fatal Review Committee is made up of professionals from law enforcement, emergency response, engineering and education. Participants include the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Allina Medical Transportation, Wright County Highway Department, Wright County Public Health and Safe Communities of Wright County. The goal of this group is to review fatal crashes that happen in Wright County and identify commonalities, patterns, and trends that could be addressed to prevent future crashes. For more information, visit www.safecommunitiesofwrightcounty.com.
Safe Communities of Wright County News - Press Releases
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October 19, 2009
Dear Editor,
Halloween has become one of the biggest party nights of the year. During Minnesota Halloween party weekends 2006–2008, seven of the 15 traffic deaths were alcohol-related. Another 40 people were seriously injured in crashes — 15 were alcohol-related. During this period, 1,487 motorists were arrested for DWI.
This year the holiday is a serious concern as Halloween falls on a Saturday — which will likely cause in influx of revelers. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office along with Safe Communities of Wright County is urging Halloween partiers to have a plan for a safe and sober ride to keep Wright County roads safe. Make plans before going out to designate a sober driver, know your limit, or stay the night at the location of the celebration.
In addition, pedestrian safety is extremely important on Halloween. Motorists should reduce speeds and remain alert at all times. Trick-or-Treaters and parents should review basic pedestrian rules — only cross at intersections or marked crosswalks, use flashlights and reflective wear, and never dart in front of traffic.
Stay SAFE and have a Happy Halloween!
Lieutenant Dan Anselment
Wright County Sheriff’s Office
Safe Communities of Wright County Board Member
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April 14, 2009
Record Number of Motorcyclists Will Be Hitting Wright County Roads
With the return of spring comes the return of motorcycles to Minnesota streets and highways. Safe Communities of Wright County advises that whether riding on two, four or eighteen wheels, Minnesotans can help make the roads safer for motorcycle riders by staying alert and sharing the road.
Minnesota has reached an all-time high in motorcycle ownership — 225,000 motorcycles are registered in the state, an increase of 100 percent in the last 12 years. Unfortunately, motorcycle crashes and fatalities are also on the rise. Last year, five motorcycle riders were killed in Wright County. That accounts for about 30% of the motor vehicle fatalities that Wright County had in 2008. Statewide, 72 riders were killed in crashes, the highest number since 1985. Around half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, usually at intersections.
According to Pat Hackman, executive director, “The onset of warm weather puts motorcycle riders officially back on the roads. Motorists need to be prepared for and aware of riders — give them space and look twice before crossing traffic or turning.” Because motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, it can be difficult for motorists to judge their speed and distance.
Hackman says the start of the riding season can also be a challenge for riders, as motorcycle skills get rusty during the off-season. Riders are advised to take safety training, wear protective gear and ride smart. “The four most common factors in motorcycle crashes are speed, inexperience, inattention, and alcohol. Those things are completely within control of the rider,” says Hackman. Last year, one-third of riders killed in MN crashes had been drinking alcohol. When looking at the motorcycle fatalities in Wright County, those numbers significantly increase to 4 out of 5 riders.
Motorcycle safety training for beginners and experts is available April – September in Minnesota. Safety information and riding tips are available at the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) Web site, www.motorcyclesafety.org.
Wright County is a great place to ride – just don’t let it be your last place.
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April 13, 2009
The following is an article that appeared in the April 13, 2009 edition of the Delano Herald-Journal Newspaper.
Learning to ‘Drive Wright’
by Jen Bakken
In my 21 years, or so, of driving, I’ve never been involved in a serious car accident or even had a speeding ticket. Guess I better knock on wood as I type this, before I jinx myself.
I use my cruise control all the time and just don’t like to speed. My children tell me I drive too slow, but I prefer to say I drive safe.
Well, with that said, I must admit I’m far from perfect behind the wheel, and proved this in February.
Of course, I was in a hurry (aren’t we, as parents, always in a hurry?).
After taking my oldest back to college in St. Cloud, I was rushing to take my other children to their Delano play rehearsal on time.
Thinking it may be faster to avoid the Monticello area, I took Wright County Road 8 to Maple Lake on the way home.
I turned onto US Highway 55 traveling east toward Buffalo. As I passed the Maple Lake School, I assumed the speed limit was 55 miles per hour and set my cruise control. The sirens and flashing lights in my rear view mirror told me otherwise.
I pulled over to the side of the road, as my daughter yelled, from the back seat, “Mom! What did you do? Are they gonna take you to jail?”
When the officer walked up to my car, he told me the speed limit was only 45 miles per hour and asked if I knew how fast I was going.
“Yes,” I told him. “I just set my cruise control, but I thought the speed limit was 55 here.”
He took my driver’s license and proof of insurance and walked back to his squad car. When he returned, he said he was going to cut me a break since I had a clean record.
I thought, “sweet – maybe I’ll get out of this with just a warning.”
Instead, he said he was giving me the option of paying for my ticket or attending the Drive Wright program.
While my ticket would have cost around $130, the Drive Wright program would cost $75, and if I attended the class, this speeding ticket wouldn’t go on my record.
Pretty much a no brainer in my book. I paid and signed up for the class. Admittedly, I was not excited to attend and didn’t think I’d learn anything.
The Drive Wright program began in Wright County in 2005. According to Pat Hackman, executive director of Safe Communities of Wright County, the program’s goal is to give people information about driving, the risks and responsibilities that go along with that, so they can make better choices when they are behind the wheel.
There are traffic laws to keep our roadways, drivers, and passengers safe. Some traffic violations are more serious than others and corrective action is needed in the form of a citation.
“The Wright County Sheriff’s Office along with Safe Communities of Wright County believes that in other cases, education can be more effective in changing a driver’s behavior,” Hackman said.
Deputies with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office have the discretion to give someone a Drive Wright ticket.
The program is funded by the fees paid by the program participants and classes are offered a couple times each month.
Similar driver diversion programs are offered in other counties but not all counties offer these classes.
The Drive Wright program is unique because the Wright County Sheriff’s Office partners with Safe Communities to present the courses. This offers participants a mix of Minnesota traffic law, along with research and safety information.
“Traffic safety is not a priority for most people,” said Hackman. “Yet, 99 percent of us will be involved in a crash in our lifetime. Simple changes to our driving can make a huge impact on our safety while we are in a motor vehicle.”
One thing that stuck out in my mind from the class was that when I was driving 55 miles per hour instead of the posted 45, I would have only saved one minute and 13 seconds.
We all know speeding is against the law and we run the risk of getting a ticket – but if it truly isn’t saving us time, why bother? Why risk a ticket, or an accident, to save a minute of time?
While I initially signed up for the Drive Wright program to save money and prevent having a ticket on my clean driving record, I really did learn some things.
I’m not alone. Drive Wright participants complete an evaluation after attending the class, and Hackman said that 90 percent indicate they will change their driving habits as a result of what they learned.
“Buckle your seat belt, obey the speed limit,” said Hackman. “Concentrate on driving, and drive sober.
For more information on Safe Communities of Wright County or the Drive Wright program, visit www.safecomm.org.
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March 12, 2009
Dear Editor,
With the prom season fast approaching, it is important to remind ourselves that it is against the law to provide alcohol to minors.
Period.
As adults, we need to stop providing alcohol to minors not only to eliminate a major source of alcohol for underage drinkers, but also to stop giving teens the mixed message that even though state law forbids them from purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol, it is really all right. It's not.
At the community level, we must realize that providing alcohol to underage youth is a community problem because it occurs, for the most part, in local neighborhoods. Surveys of high school students show that parents and their friends provide alcohol to minors. To stop this unsafe and illegal activity, we need to work with the schools, law enforcement, courts, the business community and especially with one another to make sure the word gets out. Please help get the word out and keep youth safe during the prom season.
Repectfully submitted,
Jill Hylla
Wright County Public Health
& Safe Communities of Wright County
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February 26, 2009
Dear Editor,
Many people have experienced the frustration of being behind slow-moving vehicles. When this happens, countless drivers follow more closely than they should. This is known as tailgating. Tailgating is not only irritating, it is dangerous. Following too closely is the most common cause of rear-end collisions.
As emergency responders, our ambulance crews see this practice often and frequently are called to crashes that are the direct result of tailgating. When driver’s tailgate they significantly reduce their ability to come to a complete and safe stop. They also sacrifice their perception and reaction times.
Avoid tailgating as part of your regular safe driving practice by keeping a 3-second following distance between you and the driver ahead of you. To do that, choose a stationary object near the road. Watch for the vehicle ahead of you to pass that object. It should be at least 3-seconds before the vehicle you are driving passes that same stationary object. In the event of poor driving conditions (ice, snow, fog, rain), your following distance should be increased even greater.
Tailgating doesn’t make the person in front of you drive any faster; it only adds frustration for them and for you. If you must get ahead of the vehicle in front of you, maintain the proper following distance and wait for a safe and legal road segment to pass. This will make the roadways safer for all drivers.
Sincerely,
Brian Nord
Safe Communities of Wright County Board Member
Manager, Allina Medical Transportation
Buffalo
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November 19, 2008
Dear Editor:
As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, Safe Communities of Wright County hopes that drivers will keep their minds on their driving and not on the turkey and trimmings. This holds especially true for buckling up, regardless of whether you’re driving across town or across the state. Thanksgiving has historically been one of the deadliest holiday weekends to travel on the road.
Too many people still do not wear their seats belts—the most effective piece of safety equipment in their vehicle. To lose a loved one is a terrible thing to experience, but to lose one’s life when it might have been saved by taking two seconds to buckle a seat belt is truly senseless. Remember, one of the great things about seat belts is that they are adjustable, so they will fit you even after that turkey dinner!
As we kick off the 2008 holiday season, all drivers are reminded to concentrate on driving, drive speeds appropriate for the weather conditions, drive sober, and most importantly, buckle up each and every trip. That way, this Thanksgiving holiday will be memorable for all the right reasons.
Sincerely,
Carol Schefers
Safe Communities of Wright County
Board Member
Wright County Public Health
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