About the Indicator: As a depressant, alcohol use interferes with coordination, judgment and reaction time and can have fatal consequences. Impaired behavior around motor vehicles puts drivers, pedestrians, passengers and others at risk. Reported are the number and rate of deaths in which at least one driver, pedestrian, or cyclist has been drinking.

In 2009, reported alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities is lower in Minnesota than the national average (rate ratio = 0.75:1.00). State rates are found using the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS); national rates are from Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).  For more national comparisons, click here State Epi Profile.

Data Source: Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts

Description: Crash Facts provides summary statistical information on crashes, deaths and injuries in Minnesota.

Sponsored by: Office of Traffic Safety, MN Department of Public Safety

Geographic Level: State, County

Aggregated data at the state and county level do not reveal disparities that may exist within a given geographic area.

Frequency: Data collected and reported annually

Characteristics: Alcohol-related injuries and property damage only crashes are less well documented than fatalities. Total Crashes for each County not available for 2003. Crash Facts is comparable across all states as a component of Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).