WRIGHT COUNTY, MN — Fourteen people lost their lives on roads in Wright County last year, compared to 15 people in 2008. The Minnesota Department of Pubic Safety has released a preliminary death count of 403 traffic fatalities statewide in 2009.  This is a significant drop in annual road fatalities for the state.

Unfortunately, Wright County did not see that same significant drop.  Minnesota crash records revealed a pattern with the 2009 traffic fatalities in Wright County – the most common contributing factors in these crashes were alcohol involvement and the lack of seat belts or helmets.

“The majority of fatalities in our county were completely preventable,” said Pat Hackman, executive director of Safe Communities of Wright County. “By driving sober and wearing a seat belt, many of these fatalities, and even the crashes themselves, could have been totally avoided.”

Drivers can make a big difference by buckling up, driving sober, maintaining posted speeds, and concentrating on the task at hand (driving).  The Fatal Review Committee is made up of professionals from law enforcement, emergency response, engineering, and education.   Participants include the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State
Patrol, Allina Medical Transportation, Wright County Highway Department, Wright County Public Health, and Safe Communities of Wright County.  The goal of this group is to review fatal crashes that happen in Wright County and identify commonalities, patterns, and trends that could be addressed to prevent future crashes.  For more information, visit www.safecommunitiesofwrightcounty.com.