There was excellent news with the final data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report showing that highway deaths stay near the number for 2009 which was a historic low. In Minnesota, the there were 420 traffic fatalities, which is one less then 2009, compared to 455 in 2008.
The Minneapolis Tribune also pointed out:
Other highlights from the 2010 preliminary report:
• Motorcyclist deaths fell to 41 from 53 the previous year.
• Deaths involving teens ages 16-19 were 37 in 2010 vs. 35 in 2009.
• Daytime seat-belt compliance was a record 92 percent. The new seat belt law requires drivers and all passengers to be belted or in the correct child restraint, and allows law enforcement to stop drivers or passengers merely for belt violations.
Our sympathies go out to all of those involve who were injured or lost. As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed on the same topic.
