Traffic Fatalities Down in Oklahoma

Through Oct. 7, Oklahoma recorded 491 traffic fatalities for 2013, compared with 539 deaths at the same point last year.

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety says 58 people died in traffic crashes in August. That’s compared with 65 in the same month last year. Data released Oct. 9 show that five of the fatal crashes involved alcohol. The dead include 45 Oklahoma residents and 13 non-residents.

Oklahoma County had the highest number of fatalities at seven, followed by Tulsa County with five. The highest number of crashes occurred on state highways; 65 percent of those who died in traffic collisions weren’t wearing seat belts.