Greetings all! This article will not be along the lines of the typical “ASK A TROOPER” that you read each week. I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on some other interesting and important topics. Maybe it’s just that time of year, but I am feeling slightly sentimental. It has been one year since Trooper Andy Schmidt retired and I was fortunate to replace him as your Public Information Officer. I ran into Andy just this last week and he is doing well and enjoying the retired life. Andy is staying as busy as much as he wants to. My father, Sgt. Jeff Grabow of the State Patrol just retired this last week. I had been fortunate to work alongside him in our bordering stations for almost all my career. There were quite a few crashes and other incidents on the highways that found us investigating together. Not too many people get to work with their father in such an interesting line of work. Dad always set the example on professionalism, and how to be firm and fair. I consider myself very fortunate to have had this opportunity also. 
I would also like to take this time to thank the readers of these articles and those that submit the questions. I’d also like to thank the media whether it’s the newspaper, radio or TV for delivering the information. I think we can say that we are living in a “safety revolution”. I believe people are taking note and paying more attention to the safety information available. Never before have we been more educated in the benefits of traffic safety. The number of traffic deaths in Minnesota has decreased 15 percent since 2004. In 2010, there were 411 deaths, the fewest since 1944. In 2010, seat belt use hit a record high 92 percent and there were 131 alcohol-related deaths. The contributing factors in the reduction in deaths are education and enforcement programs, important legislation, and proactive efforts coordinated and conducted through Minnesota’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program. Everyone is a stakeholder when it comes to traffic safety. Whether you drive or are a passenger in a vehicle, walk or ride bicycle along the highway, or have a loved one that does one of these. We all have an investment. So if we can keep educating ourselves with the information at hand and take personal responsibility each time we enter the highway, we can improve. And that will allow for more of our loved ones to be around for the holiday times. 
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws in Minnesota, please send your questions to: Trooper Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Or reach me at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us<mailto:jesse.grabow@state.mn.us> 

(Sgt. Grabow, Badge No. 392, is a public information trooper for the Minnesota State Patrol in our region. He can be reached at (218) 847-1594 or on his mobile at (218) 639-3168)