DPS: Traffic fatalities up 34% so far in 2021, speeding citations up 20%

Traffic fatalities in 2021 are up 34% compared to this year than last year, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said Friday.

According to DPS, 59 people have died in traffic crashes, compared to 44 at this time last year.

DPS said speed continues to play a large role in the state’s traffic deaths, with 21 of the 59 deaths this year being classified as speed-related, up from 10 at this point last year.

Additionally, citations for speeding are up around 20% so far this year, compared to 2020. A total of 13,673 people had been cited for speeding as of March 4, up from 11,318 at this time last year. Citations for going 100 mph or more have also spiked to 142, up from 80 at this time last year.

Preliminary reports show 120 people died in speed-related crashes last year, the most in a year since 2008, DPS said.