So Far This Year in Scott County: 5 Traffic Deaths

By Chris Steller

Minnesotans are ahead of pace for traffic deaths in 2013 after a six-decade low in 2011, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. 

Scott County accounts for 5 of the 202 road deaths in the state as of July 29. (The state tally includes two bicyclists and eight pedestrians.) However, at this rate the state is on track for 450 such deaths in 2013—up from 395 last year, according to the department.

“Crashes are preventable and are directly related to driver behavior — we can prevent these tragedies by paying attention, driving at safe speeds, driving sober and buckling up,” said DPS Commissioner Mona Dohman in a statement. 

While Scott County's tally may be low, it's already past its 2012 total, according to the Star Tribune:

"This year, three of the seven counties in the metro area — Hennepin, Carver and Scott — have already passed their totals for all of 2012. The other four counties are on pace to exceed their numbers from last year."

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