Minnesota tallies 100 traffic deaths so far

St. Paul (AP) — Minnesota traffic fatalities have hit the 100 mark, following a nine-day stretch that included 10 such deaths.

The Department of Public Safety says the state is on pace to record 490 deaths for the year, or an average of 9.4 traffic fatalities each week.

Minnesota hit the century mark over the weekend. In 2007, the state hit 100 traffic deaths on April 10th.

The department says its preliminary figures indicate there were 505 traffic deaths in the state last year. There were 494 in 2006.

The department's Office of Traffic Safety urges all motorists to buckle up, pay attention, drive at safe speeds and use a sober driver rather than drive impaired.