In a recent government meeting, Travis Meyer from the Dunn County Sheriff's Department reported a concerning rise in traffic incidents, detailing that the department has responded to 65 crashes since the last meeting. Among these, 22 were multi-vehicle accidents, while 43 were single-vehicle incidents. Tragically, one of these crashes resulted in a fatality, and 20 others involved injuries, with a total of 26 individuals hurt. Notably, eight of the crashes were alcohol-related, leading to seven injuries.

Meyer provided updates on two specific fatal accidents. The first involved a motorcycle crash on 145th Street, where preliminary blood tests indicated a blood alcohol level of 0.154. The second fatality involved an elderly driver who failed to stop at an intersection on 7th Street, resulting in a collision with a log truck. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, which Meyer indicated significantly contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained.

To combat these alarming trends, the Sheriff's Department has been actively involved in seatbelt enforcement campaigns, funded by grants totaling approximately $61,000. These initiatives aim to increase compliance and reduce fatalities. Meyer also announced the approval of a new OWI enforcement grant, set to begin in October, which will focus on reducing alcohol-related incidents on the roads.

Following Meyer's report, Nicole from SRF Consultants presented an update on the Dunn County Safety Action Plan, part of a collaborative effort with Eau Claire and Saint Croix counties. She highlighted community engagement efforts at the county fair, where over 80 residents shared their traffic safety concerns. This feedback will help shape future safety projects and initiatives aimed at improving road safety in the region.

The meeting underscored the critical need for ongoing traffic safety measures and community involvement in addressing the rising number of accidents in Dunn County.