According to a press release published today by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “It’s been a deadly weekend on Minnesota roads with 10 people losing their lives since Thursday. The weekend traffic deaths bring the 2016 preliminary fatality count to 307.”

From motorcyclists to teenagers to two men in their 20s just a mile away from home, traffic fatalities have forever changed the lives of countless families who are feeling the shock and disbelief of a sudden loss.

An average of one death a day occurs on Minnesota roads. That’s the reality after the state surpassed 300 fatalities in 2016 on this the 288th day of the year.

Recent lives lost include:

• A 16-year-old male driver who died last night in a fiery crash in Norman County.
• Best friends who were just 24 and 25 years old. They died early Saturday morning when their truck crashed in rural Morrison County. Neither were wearing seat belts.
• A 65-year-old Lakeville man killed in a head-on collision.
• A 31-year-old motorcyclist who went off the road and hit a sign. The State Patrol says alcohol may have played a role in the crash.
• A 7-year-old boy killed while crossing the street for the school bus.

2016 Preliminary Road Fatalities Include: Update

• 41 pedestrians, compared with 25 this time last year.
• 52 motorcyclists, compared with 57 this time last year.
• 7 bicyclists, compared with 9 this time last year.

2016 preliminary traffic deaths by age (this is up to 307 deaths)

Last year, Minnesota reached 300 deaths on Oct. 12.

Extra Seat Belt Enforcement Now on Minnesota Roads

To remind motorists that seat belts save lives, more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state are participating in the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign Oct. 14 – Oct. 30. The extra enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

Good people make bad choices on the road every day and not wearing a seat belt can prove tragic. Last year, 91 unbelted motorists lost their lives on Minnesota roads.

 Pedestrian Fatalities, a Growing Concern

Preliminary reports show 41 pedestrians have lost their lives on Minnesota roads in 2016, compared with 24 this time last year.

It is both the driver and pedestrian’s responsibility to refocus on traffic laws to make the walking community safer.

• Pedestrians can ensure their safety by:

o   Crossing at a corner, a marked crosswalk or where a traffic light is present – this is the law.

o   Pay attention, look both ways before crossing, and make eye contact with drivers before entering the road to ensure the driver sees you.

o   Never cross in the middle of the road or walk down an interstate.

o   Wear bright colored clothing when walking at night.

• Motorists must:

o   Treat every corner as a crosswalk and stop for crossing pedestrians at all corners and crosswalks whether marked or unmarked — this is the law.

o   Drive at safe speeds, be alert for pedestrians, and stop for them when they are crossing.

o   Pay attention: Drive distracted-free. Driver distraction is a leading cause of pedestrian/vehicle crashes.

Minnesota Traffic Fatalities

By — Lakeland News