BY OFFICER DAN SCHOEN • COTTAGE GROVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

Driving conduct and aging

Multiple fatalities in two different crashes on local highways have led to a tragic couple of weeks. I want to express our sympathy to all the families who lost loves ones in these accidents. Many of our responders are parents and recognize the nightmarish scenario too many families suffer in these situations. These devastating losses highlight driving issues our officers are seeing on our local streets and highways.

It seems far too many people are running out of patience on the highways. It’s important to slow down and follow the speed limit. Studies indicate that for every 10 mph of increased speed, the risk of dying in a crash doubles. In practical terms, increasing driving speed from 60 to 80 mph increased the risk of a fatal crash by four times. Not wearing a seatbelt changes these statistics for the worse. Far too many people are getting in the backseat of a car with their friends and not buckling up. In 2020, nearly 60 percent of backseat passengers who were killed in a crash were not wearing a seatbelt.

In Minnesota, a new driver’s license comes with limitations for non-family member passengers. There is a set time to ensure the driver has developed experience without extra distractions. We know some of our kids are easily swayed by friends to do things they shouldn’t, and that includes excessive speed or careless driving. Please talk to your kids about safe driving. I struggle to think how I would continue if something happened to one of my own kids; none of us in public safety want to see you in that position either.

In a very recent horrific accident, an elderly driver entered US Hwy 61 driving south in the northbound lane. Unfortunately, not all traffic was able to avoid the driver and two people died in a head-on collision between 80th Street and Jamaica Ave. Wrong way drivers are more common than the average person thinks, but in most cases the driver recognizes the error and quickly gets turns around.

On occasion, families will call us with concerns about family members whose medical conditions or physical abilities cause concerns about their ability to safely operate a car. Once you reach a certain age, it’s easy to recognize why your parents said, “Getting old sucks.” I’ve recently lost parents in ways highlighting how cruel aging can be. Years ago, my father had to have his driver’s license taken away because of cognitive issues causing delayed, or sometimes wrong, responses. It was hard for him to accept, but it was hard for our family to recognize we were at a “new phase” of a parent’s life. As brash as it sounds, everyone else’s safety is far more important than one person’s feeling of independence.

A local group called Family Means is a great connection for families who are struggling to have a conversation about independence, such as the need of a family member to stop driving or the need for services to allow a family member to stay in their own home. Family Means does a lot more than help families have difficult conversations, but they’re a great resource for what I am highlighting today. They can be reached at 651-4394840 or their website www. familymeans.org.