Drinking-and-driving deaths rose in 2007

Minnesota saw 9 more deaths last year, but nationwide, they went down. However, there were two fewer alcohol-impaired motorcycle deaths in the state.

By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 28, 2008 - 11:24 PM

Alcohol-related traffic deaths were up slightly in Minnesota last year, compared with a national drop of about 4 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to state and federal reports released this week.

Minnesota saw a 6 percent increase (nine more deaths) to 158 fatalities, which made it one of 18 states with more deaths in which the driver had a blood-alcohol concentration of .08, the legal limit, or higher.

Nationally, nearly 13,000 people died in such crashes last year, about 500 fewer than in 2006.

On the other hand, Minnesota had two fewer motorcyclists die in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2007 (18 total fatalities). Half of the states saw that number go up, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety reporting system.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said in a release that 1,621 motorcyclists, up 7.5 percent from the previous year, were killed in drunken-driving crashes last year.

Minnesota's motorcycle deaths from all causes also dropped to 61 fatalities last year from 70 in 2006.

But that state decline may not continue. Four motorcyclists were killed in one week this month, pushing the fatality tally to 39, compared with 37 this time last year, according to the state Public Safety Department.

State Traffic Safety Director Cheri Marti urged motorists to look twice before changing lanes and asked motorcyclists to avoid drinking before driving and to travel at or below speed limits.

Total Minnesota traffic fatalities from all causes last year increased 2 percent to 504, compared with a national decline of about 4 percent, to 41,059, which Peters said was the lowest since 1994. She noted that the fatality rate was 1.37 deaths per million vehicle miles driven, the lowest ever.

Minnesota's fatality rate was significantly lower at 0.89 deaths per million vehicle miles, among the nation's lowest, according the state's annual Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2007.

The report said the state's rate was 5.52 in 1966. Last year's fatality rate is based on the state's 3.9 million licensed drivers and 4.8 million registered vehicles.

Other crash facts:

• Of 399 vehicle occupants killed on Minnesota roads last year, nearly half were not wearing seat belts.

• Of impaired drivers killed, almost 3 of 4 were unbelted.

• Last year had 190 fatalities in which any level of alcohol was involved, up from 166 in 2006, an all-time low.

• Teen deaths (ages 16 to 19) dropped from 65 to 41 fatalities last year.

• The seven-county metro area, with 54 percent of the state population, had 33 percent (168) of state fatalities.

• As of Tuesday, Minnesota had 269 traffic deaths this year, compared with 306 a year ago.

Jim Adams • 612-673-7658