Three Twin Cities metro-based traffic safety stakeholders receive TZD Star Awards at the 21st annual Toward Zero Deaths conference
The statewide awards are presented to those who work to save lives on Minnesota roadways
St. Cloud, Minn. – Six people (three from the Twin Cities metro area) and one radio station were honored recently for their outstanding work to reduce the number of life-changing crashes on Minnesota roads. Each of the seven received a 2024 Toward Zero Deaths Award during a ceremony attended by more than 800 of the state’s leading traffic safety professionals meeting in St. Cloud for Minnesota’s 21st annual State TZD conference.
The prestigious traffic safety awards are presented annually by the Minnesota departments of health, public safety and transportation. The awards recognize outstanding work and accomplishments to improve traffic safety and reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured while traveling Minnesota roads.
TZD’s Education Star award goes to Alan Ainsworth
Alan Ainsworth, deputy state coordinator, AARP Driver Safety, served as co-chair for the first-ever Mall of America Traffic Safety Day event. Alan’s idea for this event was to “go to the people” with traffic safety outreach and connect with the wide variety of MOA visitors from across Minnesota and the country. For nearly two years, he worked with many businesses to raise funds, find a fiscal host, review lengthy contracts, acquire event insurers and sponsors, and line up numerous exhibitors. The event, which took place in April 2024, was a huge success.
“Others on the event planning committee praised Alan’s persistence in the face of many barriers; he kept the team from losing hope that the event would happen,” said Monica Jensen, Dakota County TZD coalition.
Ainsworth also participates in the Dakota County TZD Coalition meetings on a regular basis and provides that group any updates with CarFit information as well as other AARP activities for the coalition and the members to be included. He is a trusted member of the Coalition and the other committees he attends.
“I have worked with Alan on CarFit promotion, training and events. He works hard to ensure older drivers are safe in their vehicles. In addition to working at events, he helps to train others how to do this important work,” said Joan Somes, Emergency Nurses Association, and Dakota County TZD Coalition member.
TZD’s Engineering Star award goes to Girma Feyissa
Girma Feyissa has been the MnDOT State Aid Traffic Safety Engineer since 2020. To MnDOT’s core value of safety, he frequently presents at TZD conferences, county board meetings and other roadway safety-related workshops at the national, state and regional levels. Through collaboration with MnDOT’s Office of Traffic Engineering, the Department of Public Safety, Federal Highway Administration as well as city and county partners, Girma has catalyzed notable safety improvements on local roads, resulting in approximately $20 million per year awarded to local agencies to reduce fatal and life-changing crashes.
“Girma works tirelessly to help deliver a world class local roads safety program in Minnesota and across the United States,” said Mark Vizecky, MnDOT Operations engineer. “His commitment and drive to build a safer system are fueled by his dedication and passion to saving lives.”
He also champions statewide efforts such as the County Road Safety Plans and Local Roads Traffic Safety Regional Workshops.
TZD’s Child Passenger Safety Star award goes to Dex Tuttle
Dex Tuttle, Injury Prevention program manager, Children’s Minnesota, was recognized for his commitment to safeguarding children’s well-being regardless of language or cultural barriers. Tuttle directed an initiative to create the “Making Safe Simple: On the way” video which shows families with limited English proficiency or literacy how to properly install car seats and secure children to help prevent injuries from motor vehicle collisions. Children’s Minnesota healthcare system patients and their families speak more than 60 languages. The “Making Safe Simple” video series uses digital animation, art and positive messaging to share injury prevention information across cultures and language groups.
“Dex has a commitment to safeguarding children’s well-being, regardless of language or cultural barriers,” said Tara Helm, Community Programs and Occupant Protection manager, Minnesota Safety Council.
Tuttle also teaches CPS Technician, CARS/BEST, and Safe Native American Passengers courses and is the only instructor in Minnesota who teaches the Safe Travel for All Children course.
About TZD awards
The Toward Zero Deaths Star Awards are given to recognize excellence in enforcement, emergency medical and trauma services, education, engineering, child passenger safety, and judicial/court systems. Award recipients have demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, and organizational skills and the ability to successfully motivate and collaborate with others in efforts to move toward zero deaths on Minnesota’s roads.
Toward Zero Deaths is Minnesota’s core traffic safety program and is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the state departments of health, transportation and public safety. This collaboration began in 2003 and has worked to reduce roadway fatalities by 33 percent.
A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes: education, enforcement, engineering and emergency medical and trauma response. Learn more about TZD and how to get involved at www.minnesotatzd.org.
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For a high-resolution photo of each award winner, please contact Kristine Hernandez at Kristine.hernandez@state.mn.us