State police report lower traffic fatalities

The number of fatal vehicle accidents in the Putnamville District of the Indiana State Police increased in 2007, while the statewide count showed fewer traffic-related deaths.

Putnamville District recorded 30 fatalities in 2006 and 34 in 2007. In 2007, Hendricks County led the district with thirteen fatalities followed by Morgan County with twelve. Putnam County had five. The three main causal factors listed were running off the road, left of center and alcohol. Five of the fatalities were motorcyclists.

During the Christmas and New Year's Holiday period the provisional fatal count shows 11 motorists were killed statewide in car crashes. One person lost their life in the Putnamville District between Nov. 20 and Dec. 31, 2007.

Provisional totals for fatalities in 2007 in the state of Indiana show 883 people were killed on Indiana roadways during 2007. In 2006 there were 902, in 2005 there were 938, and in 2004, there were 947 people killed on Indiana roadways.

The reduction in the statewide fatality numbers have been contributed to increased traffic enforcement and seatbelt usage.State police report lower

traffic fatalities for district