Officials: 45 Died in Rhode Island Vehicle Crashes Last Year

Rhode Island transportation officials say 45 people died on the state’s roadways last year, a steady decline from previous years.

Most victims were in a motor vehicle. Nine were riding bicycles and eight were pedestrians.

Transportation Director Peter Alviti says he’s pleased the fatalities are declining. He says one life lost is still too many.

Sixty-seven people died in Rhode Island automobile crashes in 2010. Each subsequent year had more than 60 deaths until 2014, when the number of deaths dropped to 51.

Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott says one reason for the decline is increased seat belt usage, which last year reached an all-time high of 87 percent.