MN fatalities on the rise

Preliminary numbers show traffic fatalities are up more than 61 percent on Minnesota roads compared to the same time last year.  The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety says through April 10th the state has recorded 84 road deaths compared to 52 in 2023.

“We need to get creative in how we’re combating the unacceptable driving behaviors and rising deaths we’re seeing on our roads,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “People are dying because drivers are selfishly making terrible choices.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are participating in the statewide distracted driving extra enforcement and awareness campaign through April 30. Distracted driving contributed to nearly 30,000 crashes in Minnesota from 2019-2023 (preliminary figures).   Distracted driving contributed to an average of 29 deaths and 146 life-changing injuries a year in Minnesota from 2019-2023.