The annual summary of traffic crashes, Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts 2006, reports that 494 motorists were killed last year, the fewest number of deaths since 1945.

The number represents a nearly 12 percent decrease from 559 traffic deaths in 2005.

Crash Facts 2006 reports nearly 79,000 crashes, 494 deaths, and more than 35,000 injuries at an estimated economic impact of more than $1.5 billion. The numbers reflect the deaths of motorists (373), motorcyclists (70), pedestrians (38), bicyclists (8), ATV riders (2) and snowmobilers (3).

While alcohol-related traffic deaths reached an all-time low of 166, down from 177 in 2005, they represented one-third of all road deaths.

Notably, traffic deaths in Minnesota of motorcycle operators/passengers continued a 10-year rise, mirroring a national trend. In 2006, motorcycles represented just 4 percent of registered vehicles in Minnesota but accounted for 70 deaths — or nearly 14 percent of the total traffic deaths.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety compiles the annual report which details crashes by vehicle type, contributing factors, driver age and gender, and occurrence of crashes by county, as well as cities with population of 2,500 or more. The full report is available at www.dps.state.mn/ots [1].