Traffic crashes in Minnesota claimed the lives of 349 people in 2011, according to preliminary reports from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The figure represents a 38 percent reduction in deaths since 2001, and a fourth consecutive annual decline in fatalities.
DPS projects the final total — available in early summer as additional crash reports are submitted — to be around 11 percent below the 2010 figure (411) and the lowest since 1944 (356).
DPS officials note positive driver behavior is propelling the progress. Seat belt compliance is at a record high 93 percent while alcohol-related fatal and injury crashes, and DWI arrests continue to drop.
Other factors include traffic safety legislation, such as primary seat belt law; enhanced enforcement coupled with education efforts; effective MnDOT, county and local engineering improvements; and efficient emergency trauma response. Officials also credit safer vehicles for the trend.
Preliminary 2011 traffic statistics:
The preliminary 349 fatality count includes motorists (276 — down from the final 305 number in 2010), motorcyclists (37 — down from 45); pedestrians (32 — down from 36); and bicyclists (four — down from nine).
DPS projects the final total — available in early summer as additional crash reports are submitted — to be around 11 percent below the 2010 figure (411) and the lowest since 1944 (356).
DPS officials note positive driver behavior is propelling the progress. Seat belt compliance is at a record high 93 percent while alcohol-related fatal and injury crashes, and DWI arrests continue to drop.
Other factors include traffic safety legislation, such as primary seat belt law; enhanced enforcement coupled with education efforts; effective MnDOT, county and local engineering improvements; and efficient emergency trauma response. Officials also credit safer vehicles for the trend.
Preliminary 2011 traffic statistics:
The preliminary 349 fatality count includes motorists (276 — down from the final 305 number in 2010), motorcyclists (37 — down from 45); pedestrians (32 — down from 36); and bicyclists (four — down from nine).
BrownCounty had 333 accidents reported in 2011, 5 deaths, 12 serious injury accidents and 85 DWI’s.
RedwoodCounty had 169 accidents, 4 deaths, 4 serious injury accidents and 72 DWI’s in 2011.
RenvilleCounty in 2011 had 151 accidents, 3 deaths, 3 serious injury accidents and 86 DWI’s.
YellowMedicineCounty had 103 accidents, 1 death and 14 serious injuries with 63 DWI’s in 2011.
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