DPS: Deadly Start To February On Minn. Roads

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In a deadly start to the month, 13 people have been killed in motor vehicle crashes on Minnesota roads, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Seven of the 13 February deaths occurred during a four-day stretch from Feb. 5 to Feb. 8. Four of six motorists who died weren't wearing seat belts. The seventh person killed was a pedestrian.

The news comes after one of the safest months on Minnesota roads in more than 30 years. Nine people were killed in January. In just 10 days, February deaths exceeded that.

Minnesota officials say the contributing factors to road fatalities include speed, drunken driving, distracted driving and lack of seat belt use, which accounts for about half of the motorists killed.