Driver fatalities way up over last year, extra patrols will be on the lookout for unsafe drivers

Traffic deaths over the first six months of 2021 are higher than they have been in Minnesota since 2009.

According to the Minnesota Department of Safety Public Office (DPS-OTS), who recently released these figures, there were 148 fatalities over the same time in 2020.

Based on the increase in fatal accidents, the DPSOTS is coordinating extra speed patrols during July. The extra patrols and outreach efforts are also part of the NHTSA Region 5 Great Lakes, High Stakes traffic safety initiative taking place during the summer of 2021.

Included in the DPSOTS statistics for 2021 were 26 motorcyclists that died compared to 18 last year. In addition, three bicyclists were killed, and 142 motor vehicle occupants lost their lives compared to 109 through the first six months last year.

Of those deaths, 80 were caused by excessive speeds compared to 49 speed-related deaths in 2020.

During the first six months of 2021, 45 fatalities involved alcohol; five were from distracted drivers, and 46 motorists who perished weren’t wearing seat belts.

Seventy-two percent of the fatalities were males.

Also included in the state’s report were the victims’ ages: two kids under ten, twenty-one 11 to 20-year-olds, forty-four 21 to 30-year-olds, twenty nine 41-50-year-olds, seventeen 61-70-year-olds, twenty-seven 71 and older, and four whose age was unknown.

“Exactly halfway through 2021, and I’m at a loss for words. What is it going to take for drivers to understand the importance of driving smart?” asked Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director. “Two hundred traffic fatalities by July 1 is just unacceptable. You’re at much greater risk of planning a funeral now than in the past because of what’s happening on our roads. We all need to drive smart to help protect each other while out on the roads.”