During the last few months, there have been several measures taken by the state of Minnesota and local police forces in an attempt to reduce driving accidents and make the roads safer for all drivers. There is the increasing prevalence of roundabouts and other better-designed intersections, the new hands-free law that took affect in August, and most recently, the blue traffic lights being installed around the area. I applaud these steps and argue we should continue to do more to work towards zero traffic deaths. That includes us individually as drivers.
Driving is something that most of us do every day. We drive to work, school, appointments and events. It’s such a common activity that often we don’t recognize how dangerous it can be. According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, there were 79,215 accidents reported last year. That’s about 217 per day across our state. These crashes resulted in 381 deaths and 27,877 injuries. That’s a lot when most traffic incidents are wholly preventable. Though I wish everyone could just drive safely and make things easier for everyone, I recognize it isn’t that easy. That’s why some of the measures that have been implemented during the past few years are so useful and effective.
Roundabouts have been popping up all over recently. While I recognize some people are confused about how to use them, once that hurdle is eclipsed, they are a great way to both prevent accidents and make accidents that do happen less severe. By making drivers go around an intersection rather than through it, a roundabout almost eliminates the risk of dangerous t-bone collisions, which are a common occurrence in stop-sign intersections. They also reduce traffic speed in nearby streets, making them safer, and are great for drivers by reducing the amount of time you have to wait to get through the intersection compared with stop signs.
The new hands-free law is also a great step by the state as a whole to reduce distracted driving, which is another major cause of traffic accidents and fatalities. Now, using a phone in the car without using a hands-free mode or device can bring fines. And honestly, it’s just good common sense. If you can’t pay attention to something or someone else at home while you’re using your phone, it’d be logical you can’t pay attention to driving while using one either.
Next, the blue traffic lights, that have a lot of people talking. What are these mysterious lights that are now starting to be affixed to traffic signals all over? Well, they actually have a pretty straightforward purpose; stopping red-light runners. It’s very simple, the blue lights are linked in the system to the red lights turning on. Whenever the red lights are on in that part of an intersection, the blue lights also turn on.
This allows police officers to sit at a safer spot farther down the road, spot a runner going through with the blue lights and then pull the offender over. Previously, the police would need two cars, one to sit in front of the red light and spot someone going through, and a second one to then give chase on the other side of the intersection. So the blue lights reduce police manpower needed to enforce red lights, as well as making things safer and easier for officers.
While all of these measures are making a strong impact, we as drivers and commuters should also do our part. Being conscientious of other drivers, obeying speed limits and generally following the rules of the road makes things safer for everyone. Bad decisions while driving can affect your life and friends and family. No one should have to deal with the aftermath of a tragic, preventable car accident. I’m optimistic about the progress we’ve made so far, and I’m looking forward to further actions, at all levels to make driving safer and easier for everyone.
Connor Kockler is a student at St. John’s University. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.