Preliminary data from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) shows that 102 people have died on Minnesota roads since Jan. 1.

Minnesota reported 100 road fatalities for 2019 on Thursday, May 16. Of those fatalities:

• 81 were motor vehicle occupants;
• Three were motorcyclists, compared with five reported this time last year;
• 17 were pedestrians, compared with 11 reported this time last year; and
• One was a bicyclist, compared with two reported this time last year.

The fatal accidents on Minnesota roads this year are broken down as follows:

• 15 deaths involved crashes with heavy vehicle trucks;
• 44 deaths were in single vehicle crashes; and
• 52 deaths were in multi-vehicle crashes.

Statistics show that four main factors continue to contribute to the loss of life:

• 18 alcohol-related deaths (18 percent);
• 10 distracted-related deaths (10 percent);
• 20 speed-related deaths (20 percent); and
• 19 unbelted motorist deaths (19 percent).

As the summer heats up, so does the travel season. The summer months are the most dangerous on Minnesota roads. In response, law enforcement will be holding a period of extra seat belt enforcement from May 20 through June 2.