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CONTACTS:
Scott Wasserman
651-201-7571
scott.wasserman@state.mn.us
Dave Boxum
651-201-7569
dave.boxum@state.mn.us
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Minnesota Reaches Grim Milestone One Month Ahead of 2019 Overall Traffic Fatality Count
- Preliminary figures from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety show 364 people have died on Minnesota roads since Jan. 1. That compares with 364 fatalities in all of 2019.
- The state reported 364 deaths on Dec.1 in 2020; 364 deaths were reported on Dec. 31, 2019.
- On a 10-year average, 30 people die on Minnesota roads in December.
Recent Deaths on Minnesota Roads Include:
- A 36-year-old who died in a rollover crash in Benton County.
- A 30-year-old who died in a rollover crash in Steven County.
- A 75-year-old driver who failed to yield at a stop sign and was hit by a semi in Becker County.
Drive Smart
The 364 fatalities include:
- 314 motor vehicle occupants compared with 339 reported this time last year.
- 63 motorcyclists compared with 44 reported this time last year.
- 40 pedestrians compared with 43 reported this time last year.
- 10 bicyclists compared with 10 reported this time last year.
- 107 are speed-related compared with 68 this time last year.
- 97 are alcohol-related compared with 103 this time last year.
- 29 are distracted-related compared with 27 this time last year.
- 92 fatalities involved an unbelted motorist compared with 66 this time last year.
Quotes
- Mike Hanson, Director of Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety:
“With fewer vehicles on the road during the 2020 pandemic, the loss of life on Minnesota roads is beyond disappointing; it is tragic and completely preventable. While most Minnesotans are driving smart, there are a number of people who have used the lighter traffic as a license to disobey laws. The rising number of speed violations and the decline in seat belt usage from 2019 to 2020 cannot be ignored. We grieve with all of those experiencing an empty chair at the table for the holidays and we beg each and every one of you to start understanding the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors.”
- Matt Langer, Chief of the Minnesota State Patrol:
“There are names behind the 364 traffic deaths. They are loved ones; individuals who never made it home while traveling on our roads. Troopers know all too well how preventable these deaths are. By buckling up, slowing down, putting the distractions away and line up a sober ride, we can significantly reduce fatalities on our roads.”
Fatality Breakdown
Out of the 364 fatalities on Minnesota roads, 72 percent are male.
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10 and under
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11-20
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21-30
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31-40
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41-50
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51-60
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61-70
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71+
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Unknown
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3
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43
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65
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45
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54
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69
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38
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45
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2
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Minnesota Traffic Fatalities
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2019
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2018
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2017
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2016
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2015
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2014
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2013
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2012
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364
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381
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358
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392
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411
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361
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384
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395
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Crashes by Month
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Month
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Fatalities
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Crashes
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Jan.
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18
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16
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Feb.
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22
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20
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Mar.
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24
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24
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Apr.
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20
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19
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May
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28
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26
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June
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38
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35
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July
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55
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51
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Aug.
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46
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45
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Sep.
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47
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45
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Oct.
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36
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29
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Nov.
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30
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29
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Total
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364
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339
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Impaired Driving Kills the Holiday Spirit
- Extra DWI Enforcement on holidays and weekends runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 31.
- Alcohol-related traffic deaths are slightly down from this time last year.
Impaired Driving Arrests
- Law enforcement across Minnesota made 267 DWI arrests during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Wednesday 6 p.m. – Monday 6 a.m.).
- So far this year, law enforcement helped make Minnesota roads safer with 21,258 DWI arrests, compared with 25,607 at this time last year.
Lives Lost in Traffic Crashes in 2020
- The slow scroll of hundreds of names found at dps.mn.gov is a somber reminder this holiday season of friends and family that won’t be home for the holidays.
- Their deaths were preventable and you can prevent tragedy by driving smart.
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