Law enforcement nationwide hope to decrease accidents throughout the Interstate 90 and 94 corridor from Washington state to New York this weekend.

The Minnesota State Patrol and law enforcement officials in 14 other states are joining together with a goal of zero deaths on Aug. 1-4. That’s more than 5,600 miles of road.

The I-90/94 Challenge will use education, awareness and strict enforcement to save lives and remind all motorists to drive safely.

“We’re looking to go 0 for 4 this weekend: Zero traffic fatalities and less than 300 total crashes along the entire Interstate 90/94 corridor during the four-day period,” said Lt. Col. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol in a press release. “Law enforcement agencies in 15 states are banding together and cracking down on driving behavior that too often have tragic consequences. We need drivers to slow down, wear their seat belts, drive sober, and pay attention.”

The I-90/94 Challenge was initiated by the Minnesota State Patrol in response to the International Association of Chiefs of Police goal to reduce traffic fatalities this year in the U.S. by 15 percent.

 

The problem on I-90 and I-94:

From Aug. 1-4 over the past three years, I-90/94 averages:

• 524 total crashes

• 136 injury crashes

• 56 crashes involving a big truck or bus

• 10 alcohol-related crashes

• 3 fatal crashes

 

The goal:

• Zero fatalities during the four-day period.

• Cut all other crashes in half.

Specific goals for the enforcement period include:

• Fewer than 69 injury crashes

• Fewer than 263 total crashes

• Fewer than six alcohol-related crashes

• Fewer than 29 crashes involving a large truck or bus

 

The 15 states participating in the challenge are:

• Massachusetts

• New York

• Pennsylvania

• Ohio

• Michigan

• Indiana

• Illinois

• Wisconsin

• Minnesota

• South Dakota

• North Dakota

• Wyoming

• Montana

• Idaho

• Washington