Traffic-related deaths are on the rise in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported Monday that there have been 384 traffic deaths in the Gopher State since the start of the year. According to reports, that number is a 23% increase from this time last year when traffic fatalities totaled 313. MDPS says speed was reported as the biggest cause of road deaths this year. If the numbers continue to rise, Minnesota will have the deadliest year on state roads since 2007.