SCITUATE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island State Police are cracking down on speeding, aggressive driving and other unsafe practices in response to six traffic-related deaths in the state this month.
Department superintendent Col. Ann Assumpico says many of the fatalities resulted from excessive speed or failure to use seat belts. She has stepped up patrols and ordered troopers to stringently enforce driving laws to prevent additional loss of life.
She says already this year, nine people have died as a result of motor vehicle crashes, including six motorists and three pedestrians. That’s more than double the number of fatalities in the same period last year.
This month, there have been fatal crashes in Richmond, West Greenwich and East Greenwich. Pedestrians have been killed after getting struck by vehicles in Smithfield and Coventry.
