JUST THE FACTS

June 27, 2025 Volume 16 Issue 26

Enhancing Quality of Life and Safety Through Responsible Driving in Owatonna

The City of Owatonna is committed to maintaining a high quality of life and ensuring traffic safety for all residents. A key component of this commitment is outlined in the city's Erratic Driving Ordinance, Owatonna City Ordinance 72.08. This ordinance addresses driving behaviors that can negatively impact both the safety and peace of our community.

This ordinance prohibits driving practices that create unnecessary hazards or disturbances. This includes:

Part (A): Operating a vehicle in a manner that causes excessive noise, such as tire squealing, gear grinding, or backfiring, except in emergencies.
Part (B): Driving erratically, including sudden changes in speed, skidding, sliding, swaying, or simulating a race, unless in an emergency situation.
Part (C): Loitering on the outside of parked vehicles without consent or in a way that endangers oneself or impedes traffic flow.
Part (D): Riding or driving with parts of the body outside the vehicle, or in positions not intended for passenger use, except during emergencies or authorized events like parades.

The Owatonna Police Department actively enforces all traffic safety laws, including those outlined in City Ordinance 72.08. Through these traffic safety initiatives, it is the goal of the Owatonna Police Department to have a positive impact on the quality of life and educate motorists of the importance of traffic safety on our roadways within our community. Adhering to traffic safety laws is crucial for everyone's well-being and contributes to a safer and more enjoyable quality of life in our community.

THIS WEEK'S IN CUSTODY ARRESTS

Rebecca Schuette was formally charged with criminal vehicular operation- bodily harm- under the influence, traffic collision- failure to stop- injury, and 4th degree DWI stemming from a June 21st incident.
Eloy Tarango was formally charged with threats of violence and 5th degree drug possession stemming from an incident at Morehouse Park on June 20th, 2025.
Hannah Forsberg was formally charged with trespass stemming from an incident on June 25th, 2025.
Hannah Forsberg was formally charged with trespass stemming from an incident on June 26th, 2025.

BE AWARE OF TRAIN TRAFFIC

Trains can’t stop quickly. A freight train going 55 mph can take a mile or more to come to a full stop. That’s the length of 18 football fields. In Minnesota, from 2020 to 2024, there were 178 rail crossing incidents resulting in 12 deaths and 58 injuries most of which could have been prevented.

Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day happened this past week! The campaign is dedicated to shining a spotlight on the lifesaving importance of the Blue and White ENS Signs posted at railroad crossings. The ENS signs provide a phone number and location information needed to quickly report emergencies or safety concerns around tracks and trains directly to the railroad. These signs can help you save a life, but only if you know where to find them and how to use them.

As a safety refresher, here are key tips:

Always expect a train. Trains can come at any time from either direction.
Slow down, look both ways, and listen. Don’t rely only on signals.
Never stop on the tracks. Make sure there’s space to fully cross.
Obey all signs, signals, and gates. Never try to beat a train or drive around lowered gates.
At multiple tracks, check each direction. Another train may be coming.
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, exit immediately and move away in the direction the train is coming from. Look for the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign or call 911.

Stay alert, stay safe to help prevent crashes before they happen.