Vision Zero by the numbers

Vision Zero uses data to target improvements that will

• Reduce crashes
• Save lives
• Address inequities experienced on the street related to crashes

Between 2017 and 2021, about 150 people each year died or were severely injured in traffic crashes in our city. That is unacceptable and preventable. The number of people killed or severely injured lowered from the mid-2000s until 2014. It’s been on the rise in recent years and has been especially high since 2020.

2021 saw 168 severe injury or fatal crashes, the highest number since 2017. Despite an increase in fatal and severe injury crashes, all other crashes have decreased in recent years.

Crashes more likely on certain streets

Minneapolis crashes and injuries happen more often on a small percentage of streets.

These streets often have a high amount of:

• Walking
• Biking
• Transit
• Driving

High Injury Streets

The map shows the concentration of high injury and fatal crashes on Minneapolis streets.

There are 9% of streets where 66% of the fatal and severe injury crashes happened between 2017-2021.

Native American and Black residents are disproportionately impacted

Traffic fatalities impact Native American and Black residents more than other groups.

Native American and Black residents experienced traffic crashes in a disproportionate way. This is consistent with trends in earlier years. This means that compared to population size, they're more affected by this issue.

Native American resident impacts

• Native American residents are 1% of the Minneapolis population.
• They are 5% of people killed in pedestrian and bicycle traffic crashes.
• They are also 4% of people killed in vehicle crashes.

Black resident impacts

Black residents are 19% of Minneapolis population but are 26% of people killed in vehicle crashes.

More resident impacts

• Hispanic residents are 10% of the population and are 9% of people killed in pedestrian and bicycle crashes, and 7% of people killed in vehicle crashes.
• White and Asian residents are less likely to die in traffic crashes.
• These groups are not disproportionately affected.

Areas with the most crashes

Crashes are higher in Transportation Equity Priority areas. These neighborhoods have more People of Color and people with lower incomes.

The Racial Equity Framework for Transportation explains the Transportation Equity Priority areas.

Read the Racial Equity Framework for Transportation 

How we figured out Transportation Equity Priority areas

The areas are calculated based on data for:

• Race
• Income
• Transportation factors such as vehicle access

Severe and fatal crashes per 1,000 residents

• 28% of Minneapolis residents live in Transportation Equity Priority areas 1 and 2.
• 43% of severe and fatal crashes occurred in these areas from 2017-2021.

Bicyclists and pedestrians in crashes

Bicyclists and pedestrians are overrepresented in severe traffic injuries and deaths. Pedestrian deaths have increased in recent years. There were 11 people killed while walking or rolling in 2021. This is the highest number in Minneapolis since 1998.

Pedestrians

People in Minneapolis make 16% of their trips by walking or rolling. These pedestrians are 31% of severe traffic injuries and deaths.

Bicyclists

People in Minneapolis make 3% of their trips by bicycle. Bicyclists are 11% of severe traffic injuries and deaths.

Other groups not overrepresented

People in Minneapolis make 68% of their trips by automobile. Automobile crashes make up 56% of severe traffic injuries and deaths.

Minneapolis speed and crash data

Higher traffic speeds make crashes more likely to happen. It also makes crashes more likely to end in severe injury or death. This is especially true for people walking or rolling and biking.

The risk of severe injury or death is higher for older adults. Crashes that involve speed has increased in a major way. This is especially the case with fatal crashes.

Speed is a major factor in crashes

• In Minneapolis, speeding was a contributing factor in 50% of fatal crashes in 2020 and 65% of fatal crashes in 2021.
• This is a greater involvement than previous years as well as national trends. Speeding was a contributing factor of 43% of fatal crashes in 2017.
• Nationally, it was a contributing factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in 2020.

Risk to pedestrians increase as driver speed increases

Data on speed and crash injury

• A person hit at 20 miles per hour has a 13% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.
• A person hit at 30 miles per hour has a 40% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.
• A person hit at 40 miles per hour has a 73% likelihood of suffering a severe injury or dying.

Five unsafe behaviors lead to most crashes

The five behaviors that lead to the most severe and fatal crashes on Minneapolis streets are:

1. Red light running
2. Speeding
3. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
4. Unsafe turning (failing to yield the right-of-way when turning)
5. Distracted driving

Source: Analysis of crash dataset used in the 2019 Vision Zero Crash Study.