ST. PAUL – Law enforcement agencies across the state are continuing extra patrols through July 31 to encourage drivers to slow down.
Since Memorial Day, 76 people have died on Minnesota roads, That is well ahead of the same time last year and the most since 2017.
State Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson says traffic is at, or beyond pre-pandemic levels. He calls it a traffic safety crisis.
He says excessive speed is mostly to blame, although alcohol, distracted driving, and unbelted motorists also factor into the high number of traffic deaths. 229 people have died on Minnesota roads this year, compared to 169 at this same in 2020, a 36-percent increase.
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