DPS: Minn. Road Fatalities For 2015 Surpass Last Year's Totals

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- With nearly a full month still left to go in 2015, road fatalities for 2015 have surpassed last year's totals.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says 365 people have died so far on Minnesota roads – compared to 361 for all of last year.

"Minnesota has now surpassed last year's traffic fatality count, a sad reminder that all motorists need to make safe driving behaviors a priority when they are behind the wheel," the DPS Said.

The DPS says one in five deaths were caused by speeding and drunk driving accounted for one in four deaths. Meanwhile, distracted driving accounts for one in five fatalities.

Among the 365 deaths, 61 were motorcyclists (45 this time last year), 36 were pedestrians (16 this time last year) and 10 were bicyclist (5 this time last year).

"The choices we make on the road affect all of us," said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director. "When someone dies in a crash, dreams are shattered, lives are changed and those left behind feel the effects for a lifetime. Make the choice this holiday season to give your family the gift of paying attention, slowing down, wearing your seat belt and never driving drunk."

With winter weather conditions already upon us, motorists are strongly encouraged to recommit to safe driving habits.