ST. PAUL – Traffic deaths increased rather dramatically last year compared to 2014, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Preliminary numbers from the department showed 396 people died on Minnesota roads last year compared with 361 for 2014. After all reports are received, the department is estimating 405 road fatalities -- the highest since 411 people lost their lives in 2010.
So far, the figures include 361 fatal crashes, compared with 319 in 2014; 61 motorcyclists, compared with 45 in 2014; 40 pedestrians, compared with 16 in 2014; 10 bicyclists, compared with five in 2014.
Distracted driving, speed, lack of seat belt use and drunk driving all played a significant role in 2015 road fatalities, said the department.
Although numbers have been up and down since 2010, deaths are well below figures in the early 2000s when, for example, 559 people died in 2005.
