At least 410 people were killed on Minnesota roads in 2010, according to preliminary records from the state Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.
DPS projects the final 2010 count to close around the 420 mark -- on par with 2009's total of 421, the lowest number of annual deaths since 1944.
Officials said the 2010 figure will increase during the next few months as additional fatal crash reports are submitted to DPS. Final crash numbers will be announced early this summer.
Highlights from preliminary 2010 traffic data:
- Motorcyclist deaths plummeted again -- 41 rider deaths compared with 53 total deaths in 2009. This marks the second consecutive major decline in rider deaths.
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- The preliminary 410 fatality count includes 313 motorists, 41 motorcyclists, 39 pedestrians, nine bicyclists, four ATV riders, two farm equipment operators, one snowmobiler and one battery powered conveyance vehicle operator.
- There were 26,810 preliminary DWI arrests, compared with 32,924 in 2009.
- Daytime seat belt compliance hit a record-high 92 percent.
