Minnesota Summer Driving Season Off to Deadliest Start in 10 Years

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Minnesota authorities are pleading with the public to be smart behind the wheel as traffic deaths have spiked over the early portion of the summer driving season. 

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The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 deadliest days of summer on Minnesota roads. Law enforcement across the state aims to cut down traffic deaths through speed, seatbelt, distracted driving and impaired driving campaigns. 

Preliminary figures from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety indicate traffic deaths through the first 25 of the 100 deadliest days on the state’s roads are at the highest level seen in 10 years. 46 of the 159 fatal crashes this year have occurred during the summer months. 

Officials say 31 people have died as a result of crashes over the last six Independence Days. 148 people were seriously injured over that same stretch. 

“It’s up to all of us to keep our roads safe for everybody. Don’t drive impaired. Buckle that seatbelt. Obey the speed limit and never drive distracted,” Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson said in a video posted on the agency’s Twitter feed. “If we all work together we can have a safe and tragedy free holiday and go home with nothing but a sunburn and great memories.”