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Goodhue County’s Toward Zero Deaths team updates Cannon Falls council on traffic trends, urges summer enforcement
Summary
Goodhue County Toward Zero Deaths representatives told the Cannon Falls council that statewide and county traffic fatalities remain high but are down from 2024; they urged stepped-up enforcement and local outreach during the '100 deadliest days' and described education and partnership efforts including mock crashes and fair demonstrations.
Representatives from Goodhue County’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program briefed the Cannon Falls City Council on roadway safety trends and local prevention activities on June 16.
Anna Kelly, TZD Safe Roads coordinator at Goodhue County Health and Human Services, said Minnesota recorded 363 traffic fatalities last year and about 30,000 serious injuries; year‑to‑date the state had recorded 147 traffic deaths, roughly in line with the prior year. She said total fatalities were down about 22 percent from 2024 and highlighted reductions in speed‑related and unbelted crashes, while noting a recent rise in bicycle crashes possibly linked to a 2023 law change and increased e‑bike usage.
Lieutenant Joe Berg of the Cannon Falls Police Department described the county’s summer enforcement focus — the "100 deadliest days" between Memorial Day and Labor Day — and said enforcement, engineering and education remain central to reducing crashes. He described local outreach activities, including a Cannon Falls High School mock crash and planned seatbelt-safety demonstrations at the county fair.
Councilmembers asked about the safety effects of vehicle automation and e‑bikes; presenters said technology can mitigate some human error but population growth and new vehicle types continue to be challenges. The presenters invited council and residents to participate in the regional TZD steering committee and local Safe Roads Coalition.
