ST. PAUL - In 2008 there were 455 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads which is the lowest on record since 1945 and an 11 percent drop from 510 deaths in 2007.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) releases an annual detail summary of traffic crashes called "Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2008." It can be found online at www.dps.state.mn.us/ots, and click on "Crash Data and Reports."
In New Ulm specifically for 2008, there were 52 personal injury crashes, 135 property damage crashes for a total of 188 crashes.
For 2008 in Redwood Falls there were 12 personal injury crashes and 28 property damage crashes.
In St. James last year, there were 11 personal injury crashes, 26 property damage crashes for a total 37 crashes.
In Sleepy Eye last year year, there were 8 personal injury crashes, 29 property damage crashes for a total of 37 crashes.
For Brown County there were 100 injury-related crashes (three fatal), 234 property damage crashes, for a total of 337.
For Cottonwood County there were 44 injury-related crashes, one fatal crash, 68 property damage crashes, for a total of 113 crashes.
In Nicollet County, there were 112 injury-related crashes (one fatal crash), 326 property damage crashes for a total of 439.
There were two fatal crashes in Redwood County, 47-injury-related crashes, 85 property damage crashes for a total of 134 crashes.
In Renville County there was one fatal crash reported, 52-injury related crash, 105 property damage crashes for a total of 158.
For Sibley County there were three fatal crashes, 58 injury-related accidents, and 125 property damage crashes for a total of 186 crashes.
In Watonwan County, there were no fatal crashes, 44 injury-related accidents, 89 property damage accidents for a total of 133 crashes.
For the State of Minnesota, there were 163 alcohol-related traffic deaths, which still accounted for 36 percent of all fatalities - this is typical for each year.
The report also revealed that there were 72 motorcyclist fatalities, representing 16 percent of all traffic deaths and also found to be the biggest rider death count since 1985.
Teenage fatalities continued to decline with 31 teen deaths, down from 41 deaths in 2007. A new, stronger teen graduated driver's licensing law and a ban on texting/e-mailing/web access will help continue this trend, according to the DPS.
DPS officials acknowledge that an increase in unemployment and high gas prices may have been partial reasons for the low 2008 death count.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported that 57.3 billion vehicle miles (VMT) were traveled on Minnesota roads this past year - which is just lower than the 57.4 billion in 2007. The 2008 fatality rate per 100 million VMT is less than one person (0.79) - among the lowest in the nation.