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ST. PAUL — Minnesota public safety officials said Monday that nearly 400 people have died in traffic crashes on Minnesota roads this year, putting the state on pace to see the highest number of traffic fatalities recorded since 2007.

Officials said there have been 384 traffic fatalities in 2021. That’s a 23% increase over this time last year.

The Department of Public Safety said that at the current pace, Minnesota could see about 475 traffic fatalities this year — that’s the most the state has recorded since 2007, when 510 people died on Minnesota roads.

Speed has been the largest contributing factor in fatal crashes this year — with 124 speed-related deaths through Oct. 14. This is a 27% percent increase from this time last year and a 107% increase from this time in 2019.

Officials are urging motorists to drive smart to help reduce deaths and serious injuries from car accidents.