Mower County Looking To Reduce Automobile Deaths

Like Minnesota as a whole, Mower county saw less deaths on their roads in 2007. In an effort to keep the trend in that direction, the Mower County Safe Communities Coalition (MCSCC) is looking at additional ways to make the roads safe.

“It’s a matter of walking through the accident reports, and what factors were contributing factors to the accident,” said Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp. The MCSCC is doing this by meeting and reviewing the reasons for each death. In doing so, they have developed proposals which include:

– Requesting a hazardous weather safety arm for state Highway 63 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The arm would prevent motorists from entering Interstate 90.

– Collaborates with local city and county law enforcement for drunken driving and seat belt campaigns.

– Educating young drivers through the There’s Room to Live’ campaign.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In this case, sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.