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« Fortunato denies stay, ballot issue to Supreme Court | Today | Ceremony marks Galilee dredging project / Photo » November 30, 2006Rhode Island makes 'Fatal Fifteen' for third yearPROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island has earned the unwanted distinction of making the "Fatal Fifteen" list for the third consecutive year, meaning that the Ocean State has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related fatalities in the nation. Nearly half of all roadway fatalities in Rhode Island -- 43 of 87 -- reported last year were alcohol-related, according to the statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The "Fatal Fifteen" list was compiled and released today by a physician-led advocacy group called End Needless Death on Our Roadways. “Motorists are facing an epidemic of death on our roadways, and tragically, many of Perhaps the only good news for the state is that Rhode Island has slipped from the top spot on the list -- an unwelcome distinction it held for the previous two years. In this year's report, Rhode Island is ranked third worst in the nation for alcohol-related fatalities, behind Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. Rhode Island actually reported one more alcohol-related death last year than the year before. But its overall percentage of alcohol-related deaths dropped slightly because there were four more deaths reported. Rhode Island is the only New England state in this year's top 10. Connecticut is ranked 11th, Vermont 21st and Massachusetts 25th. State lawmakers passed a law this year raising the penalties for drivers who refuse to submit to a chemical test for alcohol, doubling the minimum license suspension for the first offense from three to six months. Posted by Steve Peoples Commentsmr | November 30, 2006 4:19 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Maybe the problem lies in the way citizens can or can't help. My landlord drove drunk days a week all summer long, and his friends and family came, drank, and drove away. I called the State police, thinking maybe there was a "hotline", only to be told to call my local police. Providence police wanted to know where the car was at that moment, (saying they just left wasn't enough information), and saying no one had left yet, but this was something these people did EVERY DAY also got no response. Luckily, my landlord's life is crumbling, and he had to cut down because he can't afford to drink every day anymore. Fatal fifteen indeed. Being pro-active is just too much trouble.