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MPR News Staff

Minnesota 2015 road deaths may be highest since 2010

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Drunk and distracted driving, speed and not using seat belts all played major roles in pushing Minnesota's road deaths to some 400 in 2015. Officials said final numbers may mark 2015 as the deadliest year since 2010.

Preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety show 396 people died on Minnesota roads compared with 361 for 2014. The agency said it is "projecting a final number of 405 road fatalities after final crash data are received and evaluated. This would be the highest number of traffic fatalities since 2010 when 411 people lost their lives."

The traffic deaths included 40 pedestrians, a big jump from 16 deaths in 2014. Motorcycle deaths also rose from 45 in 2014 to 61 in 2015, while deaths of bicyclists doubled from five to 10.

"Those who lost their lives last year on Minnesota roads were no different than you or me," said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director said in the statement. "When they got behind the wheel, they never thought they would never see their loved ones again."

Speed played a role in 20 percent of the deadly crashes, as did distracted driving. Drunk driving was tied to 25 percent of the deaths, the department said.

Over the last decade, there has been a significant decline in fatalities on Minnesota roads. Yearly traffic deaths have dropped by 28 percent since 2005.