AUGUSTA — Maine’s highway death toll is up by more than 50 percent this year over last year at this time.

State officials say there have been 47 vehicular fatalities so far in 2012, up from 30 in 2011.

The Bureau of Highway Safety says excessive speed was a factor in 28 of the 47 deaths, and alcohol was involved in 15 of the fatal crashes.

Six people were killed on Maine roads last weekend alone.

Maine has had four exceptionally safe years in a row for highway fatalities. Last year was the safest year since 1959.

 


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