Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition

06/05/2026

Buckle up before you ride.

If your ATV has seat belts and you’re riding on or near a public road, Minnesota law now requires drivers and passengers to wear them.

⚠️ Drivers and passengers over age 15 can receive a $25 fine for not wearing a seat belt.
⚠️ Drivers are also responsible for fines involving passengers under 15 who are unbelted.

Seat belts aren’t just about avoiding a ticket, they help keep everyone safer on every ride.

06/04/2026

“ASK A TROOPER” by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

❓Question: In last week’s article you wrote about e-bikes. Can you also just provide a reminder on all around bicycle safety? Thank you.

➡Answer: If you’re riding a bicycle, you must:
• Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as you would when driving.
o The only exception is that bicyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is clear.
• Use signals, if able, to let people behind you know when you're turning.
• Use good judgement. Remember that you are sharing the road, and it is important to be predictable to avoid a crash.
• Use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark.

If you are driving near a bicyclist:
• Stay three feet away when passing.

06/03/2026

It's 🚲
Stay safe. Stay visible.

06/02/2026

Join the alcohol server training class tomorrow *June 3rd* hosted by the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office at 7:00pm in Fergus Falls at the Fergus Falls Fire Department.

If you want to learn more about being a safe server, don't miss this training!

06/01/2026

LET US BE FRIENDS
IN THE TRAFFIC
DRIVE SAFE SPEEDS

05/29/2026

Own or work at a local bar or restaurant?

Join us and the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office in reaching our goal of decreasing traffic crashes. Impaired driving is one of Otter Tail County’s leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes.

Join the alcohol server training class opportunity on June 3rd at 7:00pm in Fergus Falls at the Fergus Falls Fire Department.

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Let's keep the rubber side down, the speed under control, and the safety standards high. Check your bike, gear up properly, and stay alert out there🏍

05/28/2026

There is safety in numbers, especially on two wheels! Cruising with a crew doesn't just make the miles fly by; it makes everyone on the road a whole lot more visible🚴‍♀️🚴

05/28/2026

🛑 Flashing red lights mean STOP.
Minnesota’s updated school bus safety law is now in effect: drivers must stop at least 20 feet away when a school bus’s red lights begin flashing, even BEFORE the stop arm fully extends. Help keep kids safe every ride, every stop. 🚌💛