05/27/2026
Summer is calling, and that means epic road trips, weekend getaways, and quality time with family and friends. However, because the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are historically the most traveled—and the most dangerous days on our roads—law enforcement is stepping up patrols through the summer (youtube.com/watch?v=Lt-L4QwDRgU). Agencies will be heavily targeting the "Big Four" behaviors that contribute to the most crashes: speeding, distracted driving, driving while impaired, and not wearing a seat belt.
It’s easy to treat the daily commute or weekend drive as routine, but the reality is that the road can be unpredictable. According to safety experts, most crashes are the result of choices made behind the wheel. Last year alone, between May 26 and September 1, there were 111 fatalities on Minnesota roads—and the tragic truth is that these 111 fatalities were preventable:
• 37 deaths involved alcohol
• 31 deaths involved speeding
• 16 deaths involved a victim not wearing a seat belt
• 5 deaths involved a distracted driver
Making the conscious choice to drive sober, slow down, buckle up, and stay focused can mean the difference between life and death—for you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.
