Minnesota passes 400 traffic deaths in 2007

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Traffic safety officials say Minnesota is on pace this year to exceed last year's total number of road deaths.

So far, more than 400 people have died on Minnesota roads in 2007. Last year, the state didn't reach 400 traffic deaths until Nov. 13.

At this rate, Minnesota is poised to exceed 494 road deaths in 2006, the first year since 1945 that Minnesota road deaths totaled less than 500.

The number of traffic fatalities in Minnesota has dropped consecutively the last three years.