ST. PAUL — As the weather gets warmer, more people will be traveling Minnesota roads for vacation fun, family road trips and outdoor activities. To help keep motorists safe, the Minnesota State Patrol is launching Project 20(22). Over five weekends in May through September, troopers will conduct high intensity patrols focusing on the deadliest traffic violations: speed, lack of seat belt use, distraction and impairment.
Through May 8 of this year, there have been 95 traffic-related deaths on Minnesota roadways:
- 26 were speed-related fatalities
- 14 were impairment-related
- 8 were distraction-related
- 24 were unbelted deaths
“We care about traffic safety all across Minnesota and want to stop the horrific increase in traffic deaths that struck Minnesota families the past two years,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “This project allows our troopers to have a visible presence and protect motorists during busy times on our roads. Our message remains simple: buckle up, drive the speed limit, plan a sober ride and never drive impaired, and always pay attention.”
Saving Lives with Project 20(22)
Project 20(22) was designed to help stop dangerous driving behaviors. Troopers will use a team approach to traffic safety rooted in the history of the agency. It was first created as Project 20 in October 1979 and operated through October 1982. The State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety worked together to bring it back as a statewide Toward Zero Deaths initiative.
Weekend-Long Focus by Region
State Patrol districts across Minnesota will dedicate specific weekends to high intensity patrols starting Friday, May 13. Troopers will work in the same teams of 16 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The regional focus areas for each weekend are:
| May 13, 14, 15 | Hwy 371/Hwy 169, Little Falls to Walker *fishing opener weekend |
| June 24, 25, 26 | Twin Cities Metro Freeways |
| July 15, 16, 17 | Twin Cities Metro Freeways |
| August 5, 6, 7 | I-35, Pine City to Duluth |
| September 16, 17, 18 | I-94, Moorhead to Rogers |
Fewer Lives Lost but More Work Needed
Minnesota reached 488 traffic fatalities (preliminary) across the state in 2021, the highest number since 2007 when there were 510 traffic deaths. While fewer motorists have lost their lives so far in 2022 compared with recent years at this time, any traffic deaths are too many. Bad driving choices are still leading to tragic results for Minnesota families.
Traffic Deaths (Jan. 1 – May 8)
| Contributing Factors | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Speed-Related Fatalities | 26 | 57 | 25 | 19 | 38 | 32 | 27 |
| Alcohol-Related Fatalities | 14 | 33 | 37 | 25 | 37 | 27 | 33 |
| Distraction-Related Fatalities | 8 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 16 |
| Seat Belt-Related Fatalities | 24 | 34 | 24 | 18 | 31 | 22 | 28 |
Resources: DriveSmartMN.org
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
DPS comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Minnesota State Patrol
Nearly 600 Minnesota State Patrol troopers are the foundation of the agency that works to provide a safe environment on Minnesota’s roads by assisting motorists, taking enforcement action and educating drivers about traffic safety issues. In addition to road safety activities, troopers conduct flight patrols, search and rescue missions and assist other law enforcement agencies.
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