Southwest La. Sees Hike in Traffic Deaths

Troopers say prescription drug use contributed to the increase in traffic deaths that State Police Troop D investigated in 2012.

Sgt. James Anderson tells The American Press Troop D responded to 28 fatal crashes in which 34 people died, up from 20 people killed in crashes in 2011.

Anderson attributes the numbers in part to impaired driving.

Complete numbers for 2012 aren't yet available, but of the 20 people killed in accidents in 2011, 10 died as a result of impaired driving. Anderson says the statewide rate was 43 percent.

Of the 34 who died, 12 people were not wearing seatbelts, although that number also includes the five pedestrian and six motorcycle deaths that took place in 2012.