Wabasha County Public Health

06/04/2026

Electric bikes and scooters are becoming more common (and so are serious injuries). Through our E‑Ride Ready campaign, we’re sharing practical guidance on choosing the right device, setting speed limits, wearing the right helmet and riding in safer spaces.

We’re also working with safety partners to help communities and families navigate a patchwork of local rules and real-world riding risks.

Want to know more? Check out our guide here: sm.AAA/ERideReady

06/02/2026

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06/02/2026

Traffic congestion, road construction, and delays are a routine part of commuting, but how we respond to these situations matter. While it may seem minor, tailgating or following too closely is a dangerous form of aggressive driving that can be life changing. Driving too closely to the vehicle ahead dramatically reduces reaction time. If the lead driver hits the brakes suddenly, a crash can happen in an instant. Beyond the risks of a crash, tailgating intimidates other motorists, escalates tension on the road, and can spark a road rage incident.

🪙The Golden Rule: Maintain at least a 3-second following distance behind the vehicle ahead. Increase that to 4 or 5 seconds in poor weather or heavy traffic.

It’s incredibly stressful to look in your rearview mirror and see someone riding your bumper. If you find yourself targeted by an aggressive tailgater, remember that your goal is safety, not teaching them a lesson.
- Stay calm: Do not tap the brakes ("brake check"), slow down dramatically out of spite, or make hand gestures. This will only escalate the situation.
- Move over: Safely change lanes to let them pass as soon as possible. On a single-lane road, safely pull over into a designated turnout or parking lot to let them by.
- Keep your distance: If the aggressive driver passes and cuts you off, increase your following distance to re-establish a safety cushion.

Practicing patience and planning ahead are key strategies for a safer commute. Before starting the engine, take a moment to focus and breathe. Arriving a couple of minutes late is always better than not arriving at all. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

06/01/2026

News Release: www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2026/opioids060126.html

The Minnesota Department of Health, in partnership with Hennepin Healthcare, is helping Minnesotans manage their pain without opioids. NOPAIN MN is a comprehensive, searchable public resource that maps the locations of non-opioid pain management providers across the state.

Minnesota is currently the only state in the country with a resource map of this kind. The online tool maps out a network of more than 17,000 providers offering treatments that do not involve opioids. The map includes a wide range of evidence-based care, including physical therapy, psychotherapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy and more.
nopainmn.org

This website map of Minnesota is designed for anyone to find evidence-based non-opioid and non-pharmacological pain treatment methods, options, and qualified providers throughout the state.

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

🩸Donors needed!🩸
Open times still available for the Blood Drive next Thursday, June 4, at the Wabasha County CJC. Schedule your appointment now: www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=wabashacounty
💲Donor giveaway for June:
Come to give blood 6/1-28 for a $15 e-gift card + chance to win a $7.5K prize! See rcblood.org/June

05/26/2026

TZD Tuesday - 100 Deadliest Days
Summer is calling, and that means epic road trips, weekend getaways, and quality time with family and friends. However, because the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are historically the most traveled – and the most dangerous days on roads, law enforcement is stepping up patrols through the summer. They will be heavily targeting the "Big Four" behaviors that contribute to the most crashes: speeding, distracted driving, driving while impaired, and not wearing a seat belt.

It’s easy to treat the daily commute or weekend drive as routine, but the reality is that the road can be unpredictable. According to safety experts, most crashes are the result of choices made behind the wheel. Last year alone, between May 26 and September 1, there were 111 fatalities on Minnesota roads.

The breakdown reveals the tragic truth that these 111 fatalities were preventable.
• Never drive impaired: 37 deaths involved alcohol.
• Slow down: 31 deaths involved speeding.
• Buckle up: 16 deaths involved a victim not wearing a seat belt.
• Stay focused: 5 deaths involved a distracted driver.

Making the conscious choice to slow down, buckle up, stay focused, and drive sober can mean the difference between life and death – for you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

05/25/2026

Land of the free because of the brave.🇺🇸
Our office will be closed today, Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day as we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

05/21/2026