Minnesota Already Over 100 Traffic Fatalities In 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been a deadly year on Minnesota roads.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says more than 100 people have died in traffic crashes since January 1. Officials are worried that number keeps us on track to surpass the number of 411 deaths in 2015.

DPS officials say the biggest portion of fatal crashes is a result of drunk driving, but the second leading behavior is not wearing a seat belt.

"Basically people are taking too many risks when they drive on the roads," Minnesota DPS communications director Bruce Gordon said.

2015 marked the first time in five years that road fatalities passed the 400 mark. In the last five years, 2014 had the lowest number of fatalities on the roads at 361.

DPS has been cracking down on distracted driving to try to get people to pay attention on the roads. Its Office of Traffic Safety is working on "Toward Zero Deaths," a program with a focus on education, enforcement and emergency response to aim for zero deaths on the road.

"We need to head toward zero and not towards 411 like we're heading right now," Gordon said.

Of the 104 fatal crashes so far in 2016, six were motorcyclists and 12 were pedestrians.