The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced on Friday that 350 people have been killed in traffic accidents this year, up from 333 people killed by this time last year.

The numbers indicate the death toll this year may be higher than 2017, when 358 people were killed in traffic accidents.

According to a DPS press release, preliminary numbers show out of the 350 deaths so far this year:

• At least 24 are known to be distraction-related;
• 95 were speed-related;
• 109 were alcohol-related;
• 83 were not wearing seat belts;
• 58 were motorcyclists, 42 of which were not wearing a helmet;
• 7 were bicyclists; and
• 35 were pedestrians.

The busyness of the season will accelerate with holiday preparations, parties and gatherings of families and friends. Minnesotans can prevent the fun from turning tragic by taking time to be intentional about staying safe on the road.

To keep Minnesotans safe and promote the life-saving importance of planning a safe ride home over the holidays, a statewide extra enforcement and awareness campaign is running on weekends through Dec. 29.

On average, nearly 2,500 people are arrested for DWI between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

In the last five years (2013-2017), 28 people died in drunk driving-related crashes during the holiday DWI extra enforcement period (falls within the Thanksgiving through end-of-December timeframe).

During the holiday season and throughout the year, law enforcement needs the help of every Minnesotan to plan ahead for a sober ride if alcohol or any substance that impairs their driving is being consumed. If you feel different, you drive different, whether it’s from alcohol, a prescription or any other drug.