Minnesota passes 300 traffic deaths, drivers "falling into bad habits"

Jennifer Bredow
[MGNonline]

(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota passed 300 traffic deaths this month. The state has not seen this many traffic deaths at this point of the year since 2007.

Since January 1, 303 people have died on Minnesota roads, 74% of them being men. At this time last year, the state recorded 240 traffic deaths.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in the last five years, Minnesota had not reached 300 deaths until October. In 2015 the state didn’t reach 300 deaths until the end of September.

"While one fatality on Minnesota roads is one too many, Minnesotans have been making progress over the years in changing their driving behaviors for the better," said Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director

"But recently, motorists are falling into bad habits, ignoring the law, and it’s costing us lives. This many preventable deaths on Minnesota roads before Labor Day is completely unacceptable. It’s not a homework assignment, you don’t get a do-over. We all need to drive smart to keep our family, friends and neighbors alive.”