Skip to Content
League of Minnesota Cities
Search
close
City Spot blog
close

How to save a PDF

If you would like to save the page you’re viewing as a PDF document, here are the steps:

  1. Click icon with 3 stacked dots Setting button with vertical dots / Setting button with horizontal dots or Setting button with stacked lines lines to the right of the URL bar at the top of your browser
  2. Select the “Print” option
  3. A pop up window like this one should appear, ensure the Destination field is set to “Save as PDF” (this may be a dropdown or “Change” button)
  4. Click “Save,” then select the location and name for the file on your computer

Still not sure? 

View additional instructions for the most common browsers.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe: Driving Tips for the Season

November 4, 2025

Guest post by Olivia Bontems, LMCIT loss control consultant

Two white tailed deer crossing a road in the morning fogThe first week of November marks National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a campaign designed to raise awareness about the serious risks associated with driving while fatigued. Whether you’re heading to a job site, responding to a call, or driving to and from facilities, staying alert behind the wheel is part of staying safe on the job.

Drowsy driving often doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but its effects are similar to impaired driving — slower reaction time, reduced awareness, and poor decision-making. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 100,000 crashes each year are caused primarily by drowsy driving, leading to more than 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in damages.

The good news? These crashes are 100% preventable.

To help prevent these crashes, drivers should implement the following tips before getting behind the wheel.

  • Rest up
  • Take breaks on long trips
  • Avoid high-risk hours. Late-night and early-morning driving increase fatigue.
  • Recognize warning signs. If you start yawning often, drifting from your lane, or forgetting recent miles drives, it’s time to pull over and rest.

For more tips, visit the National Sleep Foundation website.

Watch for Wildlife

As fall turns to winter, other seasonal driving hazards come into play. Deer activity peaks in October, November, and December, especially at dawn and dusk when many city crews are starting or ending shifts. Deer are unpredictable and can quickly dart into traffic.

To reduce risk:

  • Slow down in high-risk areas and use high beams when possible
  • Scan the ditches, shoulders, and roadways for movement
  • If you see one deer, expect others to follow

Get Ready for Winter Roads

From plow drivers to utility workers to city clerks heading to city hall, winter driving affects everyone. Rain, sleet, ice, and snow make for slick roads and limit visibility. Before the first snowfall, take time to:

  • Inspect your vehicle. Check your tires, windshield wipers, and defrosters.
  • Adjust your driving. Slow down, increase following distance, and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
  • Keep an emergency kit in your car. Keep a blanket, flashlight, scraper, and small shovel in your vehicle in case you get stuck.

Safe driving requires awareness year-round, but especially during the colder months. By staying alert, well-rested, and ready for changing conditions, we can all do our part to keep the roads safer for everyone.