By Susie Jones, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — After a holiday weekend without a traffic death, Minnesota is on pace for a safer year on state roads than usual.

So far in 2010, 397 people have died in traffic crashes. That’s just three more than at this point last year, when final reports gave Minnesota a final total of 421 deaths making it the safest year since 1944.

The safer roads are part of a continuing trend. Department of Public Safety spokesman Nathan Bowie says there’s been a 30 percent drop in traffic deaths since the early 2000s.

Officials say it’s because of greater seat belt use and efforts to discourage drunk driving. They also credit safer cars, better highways and improved trauma care.

The deadliest year in Minnesota history was 1968, with 1,060 traffic deaths.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Susie Jones Reports