Pedestrian deaths this year in Minnesota have outpaced any other in recent history, making 2016 potentially one of the deadliest years for people on foot in a long time.
Thirty-four pedestrians had died after being struck by a motor vehicle on Minnesota roads as of September 22, compared with just 20 during the same period last year, according to preliminary statistics from the Department of Public Safety. That's more than any year dating back to at least 2005, and the fall and winter months to come are typically among the deadliest for pedestrians.
"Assuming that this pattern holds in 2016, DPS is predicting more pedestrian fatalities than in recent years," Dave Boxum, a spokesperson for the department, wrote in an e-mail.
"That's very concerning," said Donna Berger, director of the office of traffic safety at the Department of Public Safety.
And the year isn't over yet. Between 2005 and 2015, there have been on average 12 pedestrian deaths in the last three months of the year.
By comparison, there have been seven bicycle fatalities in 2016 -- compared with eight at this time last year.
As with past years, pedestrian deaths describe more than someone in an urban crosswalk. Boxum noted that the numbers include some "unintentional pedestrians," such as the two men killed this month while inspecting vehicle damage near Pine City.
And Minnesota has historically had fewer deaths than other states. In 2013, the state had the second-lowest number of deaths per capita in the country, behind North Dakota, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
