Record amount of Minnesota State Patrol squad cars hit in February

Image 1 of 2

Photo Courtesy: Minnesota State Patrol

With the record amount of snowfall, February was a dangerous time to be on the roads, especially for Minnesota State Patrol troopers.

This month, 15 State Patrol squad vehicles were hit. That's the most hit in any month on record, according to the Department of Public Safety. It's a huge increase compared to just two squad cars being hit in both Feb. 2018 and 2017.

State officials call the monthly total "alarming." Some troopers suffered minor injuries in the crashes. Leaders are reminding Minnesotans to slow down, increase following distance and adhere to the move over law for stopped emergency vehicles whenever possible.

The 15 squad cars hit just this month nears some past yearly totals.

Total Number of State Patrol Squads Hit 
•    2019 (to date) – 22
•    2018 – 19  
•    2017 – 14
•    2016 – Statistics not available
•    2015 – Statistics not available
•    2014 – 25
•    2013 – 19
•    2012 – 17
•    2011 – 26
•    2010 – 27
•    2009 – 28
•    2008 – 22