Minnesota’s struggles with fatal auto crashes continue

On Behalf of | Sep 28, 2020 | motor vehicle accidents

Every year as automobile manufacturers release their new models, some of the changes they announce tout potential safety improvements for consumers. It would be wonderful to think that those safety improvements translated into fewer deaths on the road but that may not always be the case. 

Whether due to inadequate vehicle technologies or human error, too many lives continue to be lost in vehicular crashes. In the decade spanning 2009 through 2018, Minnesota experienced an up-and-down trend with vehicular fatalities. That trend tragically ended the 10-year stretch with an increase in automotive deaths according to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Total vehicular fatalities increase statewide

In 2009, Minnesota recorded 421 vehicular fatalities. Over the next five years, the number of people killed in auto accidents across the state decreased first to 411 in 2010 and then remained below 400 for a few years before spiking again to 411 in 2015. Two successive drops in deaths ensued but that changed again when 2018 saw 381 auto deaths, up from 358 the prior year. 

Accident deaths cross many categories

Minnesota’s challenges on the road cross a variety of categories, highlighting a broad range of issues to be addressed. In 2018, increases in vehicular fatalities included motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Deaths in which excessive speed or drunk driving were factors also increased that year.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in Minnesota an idea of how many vehicular fatalities occur across the state despite advancing safety technologies and traffic laws.