Posted: Friday, November 14, 2014

Chief Judge Shaun Floerke of Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District has received a 2014 Star Award from the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program. The TZD Star Awards are given to leaders in various fields who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, and organizational skills, and the ability to successfully motivate and collaborate with others, in efforts to move toward zero deaths on Minnesota’s roads. Chief Judge Floerke was presented with the award on Nov. 13, 2014, at the 2014 TZD Conference in Duluth.

Chief Judge Floerke founded and presides over the South St. Louis County DWI Court, and he has become recognized nationally as a pioneer in taking new approaches to reduce impaired driving. He helped implement an innovative ignition interlock program in St. Louis County to complement an existing administrative program, which has led to increased safety on roads. Chief Judge Floerke has also been instrumental in assembling a working group to pilot a Screening and Brief Intervention Program for first-time DWI offenders.

Chief Judge Floerke also serves as co-chair of the Minnesota Drug Court Initiative, the body that oversees the drug courts in the state on behalf of the Judicial Council.

“I’m honored to receive the award and accept it on behalf of all the great people I work with who are dedicated to making a difference on behalf of our community,” said Chief Judge Floerke. “The Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program is a fantastic multi-disciplinary collaboration making our roads safer, and it is an honor that they recognize our work.”

Minnesota TZD is the state’s cornerstone traffic safety program, employing an interdisciplinary approach to reducing traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths on Minnesota roads. While individual disciplines have a long history of successful traffic safety programs, TZD aims to tie these together with a common vision and mission for even greater success. The TZD program uses data to target areas for improvement and employ proven countermeasures.