The Minnesota Department of Public safety reported the state has surpassed 200 fatalities on Minnesota roads in 2015.
This weekend, a 37-year-old ran a stop sign and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and died Saturday night following in Sibley County. In addition, a 20-year-old man not wearing a seat belt lost control of his vehicle in Blue Earth County was partially ejected and killed Friday night.
Driver inattention/distraction was the number one contributing factor in 2014 traffic fatalities in multiple vehicle crashes, surpassing speed as the top factor a year ago. Other contributing factors include failure to yield the right of way and following too closely.
By the numbers
201 total lives lost, compared to 166 this time last year
21 percent increase from last year
145 motorists, compared with 137 this time last year
37 motorcyclists, compared with 18 this time last year
17 pedestrians, compared with 8 this time last year
2 bicyclists, compared with 3 this time last year
Regardless, state traffic fatalities still dropped to 361 last year, the lowest since World War II when 356 people lost their lives in 1944.