510 people died on Minnesota highways in 2007 and 35,318 were injured.
This is a 7% increase from 2006

· Breakdown of total fatalities; 399 died in vehicles, 33 were pedestrians,
61 motorcyclists, 3 snowmobilers, 4 riding all terrain vehicles, and 4 riding bicycles.
· Seatbelt use is estimated at 88%. In June of 1986 only 20% of drivers used a seatbelt. Young adult occupants who were killed remain most likely to not wear seatbelts. Most deaths occur in rural Minnesota. The northwest and southwest parts of Minnesota had the lowest seatbelt use only 80%; the metro area had the best 93%. Of the 399 vehicle occupant deaths, 28.5% of these were either ejected or partially ejected from their vehicles. Severe injuries are on the decrease because of seat belt use. 49% of those killed were not wearing their seatbelts. This rate is much higher than the 12% non use by drivers throughout the state.
· 58% of all fatal crashes occurred in rural areas (less than 5000 population). Injury and property crashes usually occur more often in urban areas. The 7 county metro area had 29% of the fatal crashes, but 58% of all crashes.
· In 2007, fatal crashes occurred most often in the afternoon between 2-3 pm and 5 – 6pm. and in the morning between 8-9 am. This has changed from the early 90’s when it was most common between 10pm and 2am.
· The most dangerous month this year was June with 57 deaths and 3,347injuries. The most dangerous holiday period was Christmas that had 11 deaths and 682 injuries.
· Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death to young people. 172 people (34%) under age 30 died in crashes. 15 to 19 year olds represent 8.7% of the licensed drivers and over 16% of the fatal crashes. People over 65 are safe drivers, as a general rule, but are more likely to be killed if they are involved in a traffic crash.
· Motorcycle deaths were the greatest in the 40 and older age bracket this accounted for 72% of all motorcycle deaths. Only 18% of those killed were known to be wearing their helmet. The most dangerous time for motorcyclists is between 3 –5 pm. Most crashes occur in areas under 1000 people. 28% of motorcyclists involved in crashes were drunk. Total deaths were from 70 in 2006 to 61. Motorcyclists comprise 4% of registered vehicles but 12% of the state fatalities.
· Pedestrian crashes increased in 2007 but deaths decreased. 2006 was the lowest count of pedestrian crashes ever. Most deaths happen in big cities during rush hour. October was the most dangerous month. 24% of pedestrians killed were legally drunk. Ages 20-24 had the most deaths.
· Injuries from Bicycle Crashes decreased but deaths increased. The most dangerous time is from 3:00 – 6:00 pm in big cities most crashes were cause by bicyclists riding across the road, not on cross walks and failure to yield by automobiles.
· Contributing factors in single vehicle crashes 1) speed 25%, 2) driver inattention 13.5%, 3) chemical impairment 8.6%
· Contributing factors in multiple vehicle crashes 1) driver inattention 24.1%, 2) failure to yield 18.5%, 3) following to closely 11.5%
· For older drivers driver inattention or distraction is cited most often as cause of crash
· Driver Inexperience is the second most cited factor for drivers age 15 -19
· For multiple-vehicle crashes caused by drivers through age 64, driver inattention or distraction is cited most often. After age 65 the pattern reverses and failure to yield is cited most.
· In single vehicle crashes illegal or unsafe speed is cited most for young drivers causing crashes
 

The population of Minnesota approached 5.3 million
Over 4.8 million motor vehicles were registered
There were almost 3.9 million licensed drivers
Over 57 billion miles were driven
There were 81,505 traffic crashes
 

ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASH FACTS FOR 2007

· 190 people died in crashes classified as “alcohol- related” That is 37% of the total fatalities. That is an increase of 6% from 2004. There were 4,386 crashes and 3,252 people injured.
· Most of the alcohol-related fatal crashes (69%) involved a single vehicle colliding with a fixed object, or a single vehicle losing control and overturning.
· June was the most dangerous month. The most dangerous time for an alcohol-related crash is midnight – 2am and especially early Saturday morning.
· Of the 336 drivers tested for alcohol after a fatal crash, 207 tested .00 BAC, 15 tested .01 - .07bac, 7 between .08 & .09, 45 tested between .10 - .19 and 62 tested over .20bac
· There were 38,635 impaired incidents (DWI arrests). This is an 8% decrease from last year. Of those incidents 53% were age 21 – 34 and 9% under 21.
· Motorists age 15 – 34 accounted for 36% of all traffic deaths and for 45% of all alcohol related deaths. Drinking drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists mostly kill themselves.
· Of the DWI arrests, males were 68% of the number and females were 23%. In 1996 females made up 18% of DWI arrests

 

*a crash is classified as “alcohol-related” if any driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist is shown by a chemical test to be positive for alcohol. Then any people killed or injured in that crash are classified as alcohol-related. The test does not need to be over .08 BAC. to be alcohol- related

Complied from Minnesota Crash Facts 2007, Minnesota Department of Public Safety. For more information go to their website at www.dps.state.mn.us/trafsafe