DPS: Minn. Traffic Crashes Up, But Fatalities Down In 2013

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A report by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety says that traffic fatalities in 2013 were the second lowest in a decade after a jump in 2012.

While fewer people died on Minnesota roads in 2013 (387), the total number of crashes did increase by 12 percent to 77,707.

"Don't get lost in the statistics and lose sight of the person behind each one of these numbers — a family member, friend, neighbor or coworker," DPS Commissioner Mona Dohman said. "While we are making progress in making our roads safer, we need to do more. We need all motorists to buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and never drive impaired."

As of Friday, there were 137 road deaths in 2014 compared to 143 deaths at the same time last year.

Alcohol was the top contributing factor in traffic fatalities.

The name of the report is titled Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2013 and is published by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

For more information, check out the department's website.