380 People Died On Minnesota Roads In 2018: DPS

MINNESOTA — A preliminary report show there were 380 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads in 2018, up from 358 in 2017. In releasing the numbers Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) also revealed the factors involved in the crashes, noting that many of the deaths were preventable.

“The time is now to commit to safe driving habits every time you get behind the wheel,” said Mike Hanson, DPS in a statement.

“No more multitasking, no more getting behind when you are impaired, no more speeding because you are in a rush, and no more excuses about not buckling up. Join the majority of Minnesotans who put safety first when driving and together we can stop the preventable deaths on our roads and save lives.”

“While law enforcement can continue to educate and enforce the rules of the road, we need everyone’s help,” said Lt. Gordon Shank, Minnesota State Patrol. “If you see a dangerous behavior, speak up or call 911. Doing so may save your life and the lives of innocent people on our roads.”

Recent Fatalities

• A 78-year-old woman killed in Mower County when she pulled out from a stop sign on an icy roadway and was broadsided by an oncoming semi that had the right-of-way.
• A 19-year-old man killed in Sherburne County when he spun out on an icy, unlit roadway into the opposite lane of traffic and was broadsided by an oncoming car.
• An unbelted 18-year-old man killed in Lyon County when he drifted into the opposite lane of traffic, sideswiped an oncoming pickup, and went off the road into a ditch. Alcohol is suspected in the crash.

Preventable Deaths

Preliminary numbers show that of the 380 deaths in 2018:

• At least 27 are known to be distraction-related, compared with 25 in 2017.
• 100 were speed-related, compared with 88 in 2017.
• 121 were alcohol-related, compared with 113 in 2017.
• 90 were not wearing their seat belts, compared with 78 in 2017.
• 58 were motorcyclists, compared with 53 in 2017. Of the 58 motorcyclists who died, 42 (72 percent) were not wearing a helmet.
• 7 were bicyclists, compared with 6 in 2017.
• 42 were pedestrians, compared with 42 in 2017.
• 266 were males (70 percent) and 114 were females (30 percent).

Monthly Fatalities

Preliminary monthly fatalities in 2018:

• January – 22
• February – 19
• March – 18
• April – 26
• May – 36
• June – 34
• July – 40
• August – 33
• September – 42
• October – 46
• November – 31
• December – 33

2019 Extra Enforcement Campaigns

Officers, deputies and troopers will continue extra enforcement in 2019, focusing on the four dangerous behaviors that contribute to most traffic deaths on our roads.

• Distracted: April 8-30
• Seat belt and child restraints: May 20- June 2
• Speed: June 18-July 21
• DWI: Aug. 16- Sept. 2
• Seat belt and child restraints: Sept. 16-28
• DWI: Multiple dates in November and December

143 People Starting New Year with Legal Problems

• Officers, deputies and troopers made 111 DWI arrests statewide from 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve through 6 a.m. New Year’s Day.
• There were an additional 32 DWI arrests New Year’s Day (6 a.m. to midnight).

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