Rollover Crash in Lakeville Illustrates Dangers of Distracted Driving

The irony of traffic safety is that some of the most severe crashes occur when the weather is good and the roadways are dry and clear. This past week Officers Anna Limbeck and Mike Lamm responded to a personal injury crash at the intersection of Lac Lavon Drive and Isleton Drive. When the officers arrived on the scene, they found that one vehicle was lying on its side and another vehicle near the intersection had moderate front end damage. 

The officers found that both drivers of the damaged vehicles had sustained injuries. The driver of the rolled over vehicle had to be extricated by firefighters and was transported by Allina Paramedics to Hennepin County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. 

In investigating the crash, the officers found that one of the causal factors was driver inattention. Driving while under the influence, speeding, and driver inattention are all common causes of motor vehicle crashes that we see as police officers. Driver inattention or “distracted driving” according to some studies is now believed to be a factor in at least 25 percent of motor vehicle crashes. It is difficult to know for sure how many crashes are caused by distracted driving, but it is not uncommon to see drivers on the road, looking down with their eyes off the roadway, for extended periods of time. 

Distracted or inattentive driving occurs when a driver engages in any activity that might distract them from the primary task of driving their vehicle. Texting while driving is prohibited by statute, but we all can avoid being distracted while driving by focusing on the task of driving and following a few tips to avoid distractions in the car. Not taking cell phone calls, not eating or drinking while driving, setting your vehicle navigation and music devices before starting out, will all help to reduce distractions while driving. 

WEEKLY  SNAPSHOT

Sampling of LPD activity for the week of July 19 to July 26, 2012 

Traffic crashes: 15 Alarms: 28 Animal Calls: 37 Medical Emergency Calls: 36 Thefts: 15 Traffic Stops: 272 

STOLEN PROPERTY RECOVERED IN MINUTES BY OFFICER 

Officer Bob Doerfler responded to a report of a burglary from an attached residential garage one morning this past week. When Officer Doerfler arrived, the homeowner told him that some power tools and other items were stolen in the burglary. Officer Doerfler left the residence at 8:45 p.m., after obtaining all the information on the burglary from the homeowner. 

Officer Doerfler returned three minutes later, after locating a box containing all the stolen power tools in the woods near the end of the victim’s driveway. The homeowner was so appreciative of Officer Doerfler’s quick work in recovering the stolen property that he forwarded an email to the Mayor, thanking Officer Doerfler. 

In the email, the victim noted that Officer Doerfler had called him later to update him on the case and he told Officer Doerfler that a medallion and a rosary were also stolen in the burglary. The complainant told Officer Doerfler that if he found the stolen rosary on a suspect that he should let the suspect keep it. The complainant said simply, “He needs it more than I do.” 

300 BREEZES – THANKS FOR READING! 

It is hard to believe how fast time passes sometimes and we tend to mark the passage of time with milestones. An interesting milestone this week is that this is my 300th edition of LPD Breezes since I became Chief. Being able to afford the citizens that we serve a little glimpse into what we do here at LPD every week in the Breezes continues to be my privilege. I appreciate everyone’s continued in support in reading the Breezes and interest in the day-to-day work of the men and women of the .