State patrol focuses on reducing commercial vehicle accidents

Starting Sunday the Minnesota State Patrol will focus for a week on reducing accidents involving commercial vehicles.

The State Patrol campaign is part of a nationwide effort to increase commercial and passenger vehicle driver awareness.

Commercial vehicle drivers can expect an increase in seat belt enforcement, roadside inspections and other checks. Motorists can expect patrol officers to be more closely watching driver conduct near large trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles.

Last year, 395 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Minnesota, and about a sixth of the deaths were the result of crashes involving commercial trucks. Overall, there were 3,789 crashes involving commercial trucks last year, resulting in 1,178 injuries.

Drivers of passenger vehicles are reminded to not not tailgate trucks and to stay out of the blind spots of commercial vehicles.