Safety officials are warning people that it's illegal and unsafe to ride in the back seat without a safety belt. The Public Safety Department says 90 percent of teens and young adults killed in the past few years while riding in the back seat were not wearing seat belts.

As of last week, nearly 70 people have died on Minnesota roads through the first 11 weeks of the year. That's up more than 45 percent from the same period last year. The Department of Public Safety says a trend of poor seatbelt use and excessive speeds have both led to more serious crashes.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says Monday that October was the deadliest month in 2012 for vehicle occupants who did not use seat belts. Preliminary reports said there were 15 unbelted fatalities in October, topping the previous high of 14 in August.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released preliminary figures that show 51 people died in fires across the state last year, 12 more than in 2010. Minnesota's fire death rate is still far below the national average.

The Office of Traffic Safety reports four of the nine fatal crashes on Super Bowl Sunday, between 2006 and 2010, were alcohol-related. During that same period, more than 1200 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists that DWI patrols will be on the lookout for Halloween partiers this weekend. To get its point across, the DPS has created radio spots and a Public Service Announcement that features real law enforcement in-car camera video of costumed DWI offenders.

State officials say half of the more than 4,000 children killed or hurt in car crashes over the last five years weren't properly restrained.