Morton’s Bridget Nez receives state award for reducing injuries on Minnesota roads

Bridget Nez, of Morton, is one of eleven Minnesotans being recognized this week by the Minnesota departments of health, public safety, and transporation for her work reducing injuries on Minnesota roads.

The TZD Awards are presented annually to recognize significant achievements that help save lives and reduce life-changing injuries on Minnesota roads. Road fatalities have decreased by 40 percent since the TZD program began in 2003.

On Tuesday, the departments named this year’s Toward Zero Deaths winners, representing many different areas of the state. Nez will be receiving this year’s Child Passenger Safety Star Award for her efforts to provide car seats and Child Passenger Safety education for the Lower Sioux Indian Community in southwest Minnesota.

The community has a need for car seats and CPS technicians. As a family advocate for the Lower Sioux Early Head Start program, Bridget Nez advocates growth in those areas, and works with families in need to get them car seats while collaborating with local agencies to train car seat technicians. She also works to ensure families feel comfortable asking for these services.

The Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths Awards during the 2021 TZD state conference, held virtually Oct. 13 through Nov. 17.