Number of Traffic Deaths in Minnesota Up from Last Year

Traffic deaths in Minnesota in 2015 have surpassed last year’s totals.

With a month left to go in the year, preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety show 365 people have died so far on the state’s roads this year. That compares with 361 for all of last year.

This year’s traffic deaths include 61 motorcyclists, up from 45 at this time last year; 36 pedestrians, up from 16 a year ago at this time; and 10 bicyclists, compared with five this time last year.

While traffic deaths have increased this year, officials say Minnesota road fatalities have steadily declined over the past decade.

State officials are asking motorists to recommit to safe driving habits as winter weather conditions return to Minnesota.