by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that in 2007 traffic deaths increased in the state for the first time in five years.

The preliminary death toll for 2007 is 503 - in 2006 494 people died on state roads.

The 2007 death toll reflects the deaths of 396 vehicle occupants, 57 motorcyclists, 31 pedestrians, five snowmobilers, four farm tractor deaths, four bicyclists, two ATV occupants, and two school van passengers.

Motor vehicle safety experts point to driver distraction, drunk driving, non-use of seatbelts, and speeding as the likely primary reasons for the fatal crashes.

"Young males are most likely to engage in unsafe driving behaviors and as a result, they are most often killed," Cheri Marti, director of OTS.

The experts note that seat belt use rate increased from 83 percent to a record-high 87 percent in 2007.

It's suspected the collapse of the I-35W bridge promoted the increase usage.


Former Watertown mayor and 2nd District DFL congressional candidate Steve Sarvi visited the Capitol press room on Wednesday (Jan. 2), meeting the people who will be covering Sarvi's campaign for the DFL endorsement and subsequent run against 2nd District Congressman John Kline.

Sarvi, 42, has worked in city government for 13 years, also serving in the U.S. Army and Minnesota National Guard.

As a member of the 34th "Red Bull" Division, Sarvi served 16 months in Iraq, returning in July.

While overseas, the platoon sergeant helped guard highways running out of Kuwait and also worked on construction projects building schools.

Sarvi (pictured at left) looks to the U.S. to quickly remove its troops.

"I believe