Traffic deaths down in 2006

UNDATED (AP) -- Oklahoma's roads and bridges are aren't as deadly as they were last year.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says fewer motorists have died in highway collisions so far this year

Monday, January 16th 2006, 8:36 am

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) -- Oklahoma's roads and bridges are aren't as deadly as they were last year.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says fewer motorists have died in highway collisions so far this year than during the same period last year.

A total of 19 people have been killed in collisions so far in 2006. Troopers say that during the same period last year, a total of 24 people were killed.

The patrol says a total of 779 people died in crashes on the state's roads and bridges in 2005 -- two more than were killed during 2004.

Last year's death toll was a triple-digit increase over the 671 people who died in 2003.

Troopers attribute the growing death toll to more drivers, larger vehicles that carry more passengers and higher speeds.