455 people died on Minnesota highways in 2008 and 33,379 were injured.
This is a 10% decrease from 2007

• Breakdown of total fatalities; 314 died in vehicles, 25 were pedestrians, 72 motorcyclists, 10 ATV, 1 snowmobile, 4 in school bus, 10 commercial truck occupants, and 13 riding bicycles.

• Seatbelt use is estimated at 87%. In June of 1986 only 20% of drivers used a seatbelt. The northwest and southwest parts of Minnesota had the lowest seatbelt use only about 80%; the metro area had the best 93%. Of the 314 vehicle occupant deaths, 33% of these were either ejected or partially ejected from their vehicles. Severe injuries are on the decrease because of seat belt use. But, 46% of those killed were not wearing their seatbelts. This rate is much higher than the 13% non use by drivers throughout the state.

• 67% 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 30% of the fatal crashes, but 57% of all crashes.

• In 2008, fatal crashes occurred most often in the afternoon between 3 and 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 August with 55 deaths and 2918 injuries. The most dangerous holiday period was July 4th weekend that had 8 deaths and 290 injuries.

• Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death to young people. 154 people (33%) under age 25 died in crashes. 26 under age 15 died, 75 age 15 – 20 and 53 ages 21 – 24 died. 15 to 19 year olds represent 6.8% of the licensed drivers and over 12.4% 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. They are 16% of the driving population but are only involved in 7% of the crashes.

• Motorcycle deaths were the greatest in the 40 and older age bracket this accounted for 56% of all motorcycle deaths. Only 17% 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. 42% of motorcyclists involved in crashes were drunk, over .08. The fatality rate for motorcyclists went up 18% from 2007. Motorcyclists comprise 4% of registered vehicles but 12% of the state fatalities. August was their most dangerous month.

• Pedestrian crashes decreased in 2008. Most deaths happen in big cities during rush hour. October was the most dangerous month. 44% of pedestrians killed were legally drunk. Ages 45-49 had the most deaths. Most of those killed were crossing a street without a crosswalk.

• Injuries from Bicycle Crashes decreased but deaths increased 3 fold. 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 26%, 2) driver inattention 11.6%, 3) chemical impairment 7.4% 4) overcorrecting 7.2%

• Contributing factors in multiple vehicle crashes 1) driver inattention 23.3%, 2) failure to yield 18.1%, 3) following to closely 11.4% 4) speed 8.2%

• For older drivers failure to yield is cited most often as cause of crash.

• Driver Inexperience is the second most cited factor for drivers age 15 -19

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 79,095 traffic crashes
 

ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASH FACTS FOR 2008

• 163 people died in crashes classified as “alcohol- related” That is 36% of the total fatalities. There were 3,252 crashes and 2,896 people injured.

• Most of the alcohol-related fatal crashes (74%) involved a single vehicle colliding with a fixed object, or a single vehicle losing control and overturning.

• October was the most dangerous month. The most dangerous time for an alcohol-related crash is midnight – 2am and especially early Saturday morning.

• Of the 286 drivers tested for alcohol after a fatal crash, 176 tested .00 BAC, 15 tested .01 - .07bac, 6 between .08 & .09, 89 tested  .10 or above

• There were 35,736 impaired incidents (DWI arrests). This is an 8% decrease from last year.  Most notable reason is less law enforcement on the road. Of those incidents 53% were age 21 – 34, 8% under 21, 27.5% age 35 – 49, 11.5%  50 and older

• Motorists age 15 – 34 accounted for 37% of all traffic deaths and for 53% of all alcohol related deaths. Drinking drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists mostly kill themselves. 74% of the impaired drivers killed themselves.

• Of the DWI arrests, males were 68% of the number and females were 23%. In 1996 females made up 18% of DWI arrests

• National Safety Council reports that the cost of alcohol-related  crashes in Minnesota amounts to 261 million dollars

• There is a strong relationship between alcohol and the severity of a crash  Alcohol is involved in 7% or minor injury crashes, 12% of moderate injuries, 22% of severe injury crashes and 36% of fatalities.

• In the 1960’s around 60% of all traffic deaths were alcohol related, now it is 36%.  That most likely is due to many changes in behavior, laws, safer roads and vehicles.
  
   

*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 2008, Minnesota Department of Public Safety. For more information go to their website at www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/crash_facts.asp