Politics & Government
CT Transportation Dept.: Higher Traffic Deaths No Trend
Connecticut had the biggest percentage jump in the number of traffic fatalities last year, according to USA Today, but a state Transportation Department spokesman says that's because more people are driving than in recent years.
New data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 42 percent more people were killed in vehicular accidents in Connecticut this year compared to the year before, according to USA Today.
Even though this percentage represents the biggest jump when compared to the other 19 states that recorded increases, the Connecticut Department of Transportation doesn't consider this to be an upward trend.
CDOT spokesman Kevin Nursick told USA Today that the number of traffic fatalities sharply decreased in as residents cut down on their driving due to the high gas prices and the recession, but as the economy evened out, residents returned to the roads.
Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
During the 2000-2010 period, the number of traffic fatalities in Connecticut rose by six percent.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
