What does C.R.A.S.H. Stand For?
Collision Reduction And Safer Highways - See Video about the program.
What is C.R.A.S.H. Enforcement?
C.R.A.S.H. Enforcement is comprised of teams of highly trained Officers, Deputies, and Troopers from all law enforcement agencies in Sherburne County who work High Visibility Enforcement Saturations to detect, cite and/or apprehend for violations of targeted traffic laws that pose the greatest risk to roadway safety. Although most of the saturation efforts are focused towards Impaired Driving Enforcement, speed, seatbelt, and distracted driving saturations are conducted throughout the year as well.
What are the goals of the C.R.A.S.H. Program?
Our goal is to make travel on the roadways in Sherburne County a safer experience for everyone. Whether you live in Sherburne County, commute through Sherburne County or just occasionally drive in Sherburne County, we want to make it safer for you. By actively and aggressively enforcing traffic violations which pose a threat to your traveling safety, we hope that drivers intent on violating these laws will realize that their likelihood of getting caught in Sherburne County is greater that elsewhere in Minnesota or elsewhere in the country.
Other C.R.A.S.H. Program focus areas.
In addition to High Visibility Impaired Driving Saturations we also conduct special enforcement details for other traffic safety concerns. In October and May of each year we give special attention to seat belt violations. In July we focus on speed violations and in April, we focus on distracted driving. Other areas of focus include enforcement of the ‘Move Over Law’ requiring motorists to move over for stopped emergency and other vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway. Recently, a focus on motorcycle enforcement has received more attention.
Why do all this Extra Enforcement?
Sherburne County has consistently been one of the deadliest counties in Minnesota for Alcohol Related Crashes and Fatalities. In addition to the alcohol relationship, speeding plays a high contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes and lack of seat belt use contributes to the seriousness of the injuries incurred. Several years ago the State of Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety started giving special attention to the 13 Deadliest Counties in Minnesota. Sherburne County fell into this category and received funding for extra enforcement through their NightCap program and the Safe & Sober Program. Currently Sherburne County is one of five pilot programs examining the effectiveness of the High Visibility Saturation programs.