ST. PAUL – Minnesota has now reached 200 road fatalities in 2016, about the same as last year.
Preliminary numbers from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety show that Minnesota reached the 200 mark on July 23. Last year at this time, the state reported 201 fatalities on July 20.
Drunk driving, lack of seat belt use, distractions and speed continue to contribute to a majority of fatalities on Minnesota roads, and each one of those behaviors can be avoided.
The 200 traffic deaths to date included 27 motorcyclists, compared with 37 reported this time last year; 26 pedestrians, compared with 16 reported this time last year and four bicyclists, compared with four reported this time last year.
“We are in the middle of the 100 deadliest days on Minnesota roads,” said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director. “With seven weeks left until Labor Day, we need to double our efforts and speak up when we see a dangerous driver. Each one of us needs to commit to safe driving habits, and we need every community in our state to stand together and say ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to deaths on our roads.”
