According to today’s Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota has emerged as a leader in reducing traffic fatalities. In fact, Minnesota now only ranks behind Massachusetts for having the lowest fatality rate in the nation. In an 18-year period starting in 1994, Minnesota cut its traffic fatality rate by more than half.
Traffic fatalities in Minnesota decreased from 1.49 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 1994 to .69 fatalities in 2012. In 2013, Minnesota had 387 traffic fatalities. The goal for 2014 is less than 350 deaths. As of Monday, Minnesota had 344 deaths for the year.
According to the Tribune, safety authorities credit many causes such as regular public-awareness campaigns concerning seat belt use, speeding, drunken-driving and distracted driving. Law enforcement is up in all areas and together with better roads and signage, the authorities are hopeful to continue to reduce traffic deaths in Minnesota.