As I write this in late August, I’m juggling mixed feelings. Today’s forecast is for quintessential “feels like State Fair weather.” A cool morning headed for summer-like highs that sends a clear message that the season is about to change. And, while like most Minnesotans I’m excited about the Minnesota State Fair with its food, experiences and grandstand concerts, I’m always sad to see the summer end.
I’m also experiencing mixed feelings about our state’s traffic safety dashboard. As of mid-month, year-to-date metrics for two key areas of considerable enforcement and education were showing improvement. Speed-related fatalities were down significantly to date – at least 18% less than every year since 2020 and 59% less than 2021. Distraction-related fatalities are down slightly from last year and are at least 38% less than all other years since 2020.
As I write this in the last week of August, overall traffic-related deaths on Minnesota are up nearly 7% over a year ago. That’s disheartening given that in 2025 we had turned the tide from a modern high mark in 2024.
Even as we’re making strides in curbing speed and distraction-related crash deaths, pedestrian fatalities at this point of 2026 are at their highest level in seven years. At the same time, motorcycle crash fatalities year-to-date are up 25% from a year ago and 14% over 2024. Clearly we have our traffic safety education work cut out for us in these two areas.
I want to close on a hopeful note. This year’s Child Passenger Safety Week observance is Sept. 20-26. Over my decades in the traffic safety profession, I’ve had the privilege to meet many incredible people who after losing loved ones due to crashes, have channeled their grief into advocacy. Jennifer Starkson is among these individuals. After losing her 24-year-old daughter, Morgan Grunewald, in a tragic crash in 2024, Jennifer has become an advocate for child passenger safety, sharing the story of how Morgan’s three young daughters survived that crash uninjured thanks to her unwavering dedication to buckling her little girls correctly every ride, every time. I’m confident her story, which has now been viewed thousands of times, has saved lives. Watch it. Saving lives is the commitment each of us makes every day.
Yours in traffic safety,
Lisa
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