200 Have Died on Minnesota Roads So Far This Year

Preliminary figures from the Department of Public Safety show that 200 people have died on Minnesota roads in 2016.

The Office of Traffic Safety says the 200 mark was reached July 23, putting the number of road deaths on pace with last year, when 201 fatalities were reported on July 20.

Officials say drunken driving, lack of seat belt use, distractions and speed are contributing to a majority of fatalities. Officials say each one of these factors is preventable.

The deaths included 27 motorcyclists, compared with 37 reported at this time last year and 26 pedestrians, compared with 16 last year. Four bicyclists have also been killed this year in Minnesota.