DPS: Motorcycle Deaths Up 56 Percent In 2015

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Fatal motorcycle accidents on Minnesota roads are up 56 percent for 2015 thus far, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Officials said there have been 25 deaths so far this year. At this time in 2014 there were 16 fatalities.

The latest fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Thursday, June 18 at 9:30 p.m. in Stearns County.

According to DPS, there have been 158 traffic fatalities in Minnesota so far this year. Roughly 16 percent of those are motorcycle riders.

In 2014, preliminary reports show 46 motorcyclists were killed in crashes.

Public safety officials are taking this opportunity to remind motorcyclists to take safety into their own hands and are asking drivers to look twice for motorcyclists.