MN DOT

Law enforcement agencies statewide are participating in a distracted driving enforcement and awareness campaign from now until the end of April. Williams Van Kovering with MN-Dot indicates distracted driving remains a serious danger on Minnesota roads, and it's preventable.

This time of year weather related crashes happen often. MN-Dot wants you to be prepared and aware so you can avoid crashes and secondary crashes.

We are nearing the end of 2023 and the amount of traffic fatalities in the state is concerning. The Minnesota Department of Transportation are reporting 339 traffic fatalities so far in 2023.

Through July 9 this year traffic fatality numbers in Minnesota are down slightly from a year ago at this time. That according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Through July 9 Minnesota has had 175 traffic related deaths which is 9% lower than 2022 where we had 192 at that time.

Fishing opener/Mother's Day weekend is just days away. This weekend will be a busy weekend in Minnesota for travel. Bill Van Koevering is the MN-Dot Toward Zero Deaths Regional Coordinator based in St. Cloud. He indicates there are many driving concerns Central Minnesotans should be aware of.

Motorists are instructed to use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate in "zipper" fashion into the open lane.

Based on this weighted scale, the St. Cloud intersection had the highest number of total crashes and the highest crash rate in the state.

The best way to keep an eye on the roads is by seeing the view from the vehicles keeping them cleared.