Traffic Deaths Up This Year on North Dakota Highways

This year is shaping up to be one of the deadliest on North Dakota highways.

The number of deaths from traffic crashes is 28 percent higher so far this year than in all of 2008. As of Nov. 30, there were 133 crash deaths.

There were 104 in 2008 and 111 in 2007.

Crash data shows alcohol was involved in 40 percent of 2009 crashes.

But law-enforcement officials say distracted driving is also a problem. That includes drivers who eat and use their cell phones for text messaging when they should have their eyes on the road.

Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com