Minnesota Traffic Deaths Surpass 200 for the Year

ST. PAUL (AP) — A total of 201 people have been killed on Minnesota roads this year.

Officials say that's a 21 percent increase from this time last year, when 166 people had died on the state's roadways.

The Department of Public Safety says most recent traffic fatalities include the death of a 37-year-old who ran a stop sign and was expected of drunken driving Saturday night in Sibley County. A 20-year-old man also died Friday after losing control of his vehicle in Blue Earth County. He wasn't wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected.

DPS's Office of Traffic Safety director Donna Berger says every driver needs to commit to driving safely. She says the state is asking everyone to pay attention, drive the speed limit, buckle up and never drive drunk.