Minnesota has now surpassed 300 road fatalities in 2018, compared to 285 at this time last year, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced on Monday.

Preliminary data from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) showed 302 people have died on Minnesota roads since Jan. 1. Three hundred deaths were reported on Oct. 31 in 2017.

According to the data, alcohol has been the leading cause of death, with 93 alcohol-related deaths reported so far in 2018.

Eighty deaths have been attributed to speeding, 65 to motorists not wearing seatbelts, and 20 to distracted driving.

Of those killed so far on Minnesota roads in 2018, 195 were motor vehicle occupants, 58 were motorcyclists, 29 were pedestrians, and six were bicyclists.

Seventy-two percent of those killed on Minnesota roads this year were males. More people aged 21-30 (58) have been killed than any other age group.

July and September have been the deadliest months so far, with 41 road deaths each.

The DPS-OTS also announced on Monday that an extra DWI enforcement period for holidays and weekends will be held from Nov. 21 to Dec. 29.

Minnesota Traffic Fatalities Since 2011

• 2011 – 368

• 2012 – 395

• 2013 – 387

• 2014 – 361

• 2015 – 411

• 2016 – 392

• 2017 – 285