Number of Minnesota traffic deaths up in 2012

For the first time in five years, the number of traffic deaths increased in Minnesota as 378 people were killed in 2012, according to preliminary reports from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. In 2011, 368 people died in crashes on Minnesota roads.

In Goodhue County, seven people were killed in traffic crashes in 2012; five were killed in 2011.

Traffic safety officials say a warmer winter to start the year — leading to faster, unsafe speeds — and a spike in motorcyclist fatalities were the main factors for the increase in deaths. An early spring led to a longer and deadlier riding season as 53 motorcyclists were killed, a 26 percent increase from 42 deaths in 2011.

The deadliest months in 2012 were September (48), August (42) and October (38). The safest months were April (19), January (20) and March (23).

Tags: news, minnesota, traffic