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445 Minnesota Street, Suite 10 0 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55 101 -5155 dps.mn.gov facebook.com/MnPublicSafety @MnDPS_DPS

M INNESOTA D EPARTMENT OF P UBLIC S AFETY

NEWS RELEASEBruce Gordon, Director of Communicat ions

Alcoholand GamblingEnforcement

Bureau of Criminal

Apprehension

Driver and Vehicle

Services

EmergencyCommunication

Networks

HomelandSecurity andEmergency

Management

MinnesotaState Patrol

Office of Communications

Office of Justice Programs

Office of Pipeline Safety

Office of Traffic Safety

State FireMarshal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:June 18, 2012 Nathan Bowie, (651) 201-7571

FINAL 2012 TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT:395 KILLED, UP 7 PERCENT FROM 2011

Despite Increase, State Has Among the Lowest Fatal Crash Rates in the Nation

ST. PAUL A mild winter, a slight increase in miles traveled and a spike in motorcyclist deaths in2012 are a few of the reasons Minnesota had its first increase in traffic deaths since 2007. The 395traffic deaths in 2012 is a 7 percent increase from 2011 (368), yet represents a 40 percent decrease indeaths from a decade ago.

Final 2012 crash data is reported in Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2012, the MinnesotaDepartment of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety annual summary of traffic crashes.The 2012 deaths include 116 unbelted motorist deaths, 104 drunk driving crash victims and 55motorcyclist deaths. The 2012 fatality count is the second lowest annual death figure (behind 2011)since 1944 when 356 were killed.

To-date in 2013, there has been 134 road deaths compared to 125 deaths at this time in 2012.

The big picture shows weve made great progress in the past decade, but the increase in deaths in2012 is troubling, as is the climbing road death toll this year, says DPS Commissioner MonaDohman. These recent stats demonstrate the ongoing issues we face to improving Minnesota roadsafety, but they are all issues that can be prevented with smart and safe driver behavior.

M in nesota M otor Vehi cle Crash F acts 2012 Highlights

Crash Facts 2012 details crashes by vehicle type, contributing factors, driver age and gender, andoccurrence of crashes by county, as well as cities with populations of 2,500 or more.

Fatality Rate Per Vehicle Miles TraveledThe states preliminary 2012 fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is less than one

person, 0.69 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The U.S. fatality rate is 1.09. In 2011,(most recent national data), Minnesota was second behind Massachusetts for the lowest fatality ratein the U.S. Officials say despite the increase in deaths in 2012, the fatality rate will remain amongthe lowest in the nation once 2012 national data is complete.

There were 57.0 billion vehicle miles traveled in Minnesota last year, less than 1 percent higher thanthe 56.7 billion in 2011.

Deaths During the Past DecadeThe 395 deaths marks a 40 percent decrease from 10 years ago: 2003 655; 2004 567; 2005 559; 2006 494; 2007 510; 2008 455; 2009 421; 2010 411; 2011 368.

DPS says proactive campaigns anchored in the states cornerstone traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths have helped reduce deaths significantly over the past decade: Increased enforcementcoupled with educational efforts and media campaigns; MnDOT road engineering enhancements;and improved emergency medical and trauma response.

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Page 2Crash Facts 2012

June 18, 2013

Officials also attribute progress to safer vehicles and important legislation. Most importantly, they cite improvingdriver behavior: Seat belt use is at a record high 94 percent and a continuing drop in DWI arrests and drunk drivingdeaths signals people are making safer choices.

Breakdown of the Traffic Deaths and InjuriesThe 395 fatalities involve motorists (276); motorcyclists (55); pedestrians (40); ATV riders (9); bicyclists (7); farmequipment occupants (2); commercial bus riders (2); snowmobile riders (1); and three unknown vehicle types.

There were 29,314 total injuries of which 1,268 were severe and life-altering.

Fatal and Injury CrashesThere were 21,321 fatal and injury crashes down from 21,996 in 2011; 24,333 in 2008; and 28,648 in 2004.

Causes for the CrashesThe most common contributing factors in 2012 crashes are in order of frequency: driver inattention/distraction;failure to yield right-of-way, and illegal or unsafe speed.

Driver distraction-related crashes resulted in 51 deaths, down from 72 in 2011. Speed-related crashes resulted in 74deaths, down from 83 in 2011.

Twin Cities vs. Greater MinnesotaOf the 395 deaths, 286 (72 percent) occurred in the 80 counties of Greater Minnesota, while 109 deaths (28

percent) occurred in the Twin Cities seven -county metro area.

Seat Belt UseOf the 276 vehicle occupants killed, 116 were not buckled up 54 percent of those not belted were ejected. Adecade ago there were 257 unbelted deaths. Seat belt compliance is at a record-high 94 percent. Officials say the

primary seat belt law (effective since June 2009) has helped to further increase belt compliance, resulting in fewer unbelted traffic deaths. Officials urge motorists to insist every passenger is belted, including in the back seat.

Child Passenger SafetyThere were two children killed (ages 0-7) and 721 injured. Of those killed, one was not properly restrained and of the injured 32 percent were not restrained. Minnesota statute requires children under age 8 to ride in a federallyapproved car seat or booster, unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller.

Drunk DrivingDrunk driving crashes resulted in 104 deaths, down from 111 in 2011. Last year, 28,418 motorists were arrestedfor DWI, a 3 percent decrease from 2011 (29,257) and down from 35,736 in 2008. One in seven Minnesota drivershas a DWI. Officials stress the importance of planning ahead for a sober ride and offering to be a sober driver.

MotorcyclesThere were 55 rider deaths, up from 42 in 2011. Motorcycle riders ages 40 64 accounted for 53 percent of rider deaths in 2012. Ridership is at an all-time high and officials urge riders to take rider training to hone skills and touse helmets and protective gear use. Motorists must pay attention and look twice for riders.

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Page 3 Crash Facts 2012 June 18, 2013

TeenagersThere were 40 teenage deaths (ages 13 19) in 2012, one more than the 39 teen deaths in 2011 but down 25

percent from the 53 teen deaths five years ago (2008). Teen drivers (16 19) were involved in 34 fatal crashesresulting in 43 deaths. Officials encourage parents to discuss and reinforce laws with teens, and continue to monitor and provide supervised training for their teen in a variety of conditions and road types, especially during the first year of licensure.

PedestriansThere were 40 pedestrian deaths in 2012, the same number as in 2011. More than one-quarter (27 percent) of thekilled pedestrians had alcohol-concentration levels of 0.08 or higher. Of the pedestrians killed or injured, 28

percent were crossing illegally. Officials urge pedestrians to cross where its safe, and look out for their ownsafety, as distracted drivers arent looking out for them. M otorists must pay attention and stop for crossing

pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks, unless signals communicate otherwise.

Bicyclists

There were seven bicyclist deaths in 2012, up from five in 2011. The leading bicyclist crash factors were disregardfor traffic control device and driver distraction. Of the seven riders killed in 2012, none were known to be wearinghelmets. Officials say bicyclists should wear helmets, use reflective gear, ride with traffic, and obey traffic signalsand signs. Drivers must pay attention, give riders room and check blind spots for riders.

About the Minnesota Department Public Safety The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate

programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergencycommunications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management.DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About the Office of Traffic Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) designs, implements and coordinatesfederally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce thedeaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcyclesafety program and for the child seats for needy families program.

OTS is an anchoring partner of the states Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety initiative. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero roadfatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.

Office of Traffic Safety Highlights The Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement, May 20 June 2, resulted in 10,342 belt citations.

Statewide speed enforcement will put the brakes on speeders June 17 23. The states DWI Enforcer All -Stars will be presented at Target Field June 27. Motorcycle rider training courses are available for riders of all skill levels register at motorcyclesafety.org. OTS is investing federal grants totaling more than $7 million to 317 law enforcement agencies and community

partner groups for enforcement and education campaigns, Oct. 2012 Sept. 30, 2013. OTS news archive: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/Pages/news.aspx . OTS PSA archive: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/audio-visual-library/Pages/default.aspx .

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dps news 2012 crash facts 06 18

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