Ross County has as 13 deaths this year
(AP) - Ohio is more dangerous for motorists this year than last. In 2011 the state recorded its lowest total for traffic deaths in 76 years.
So far this year, nearly 800 people have died in crashes across the state - that's a 16-percent increase over the same stretch last year. It's also a higher number than 2009 or 2010.
Ross County leads southern Ohio with 13 fatalities this year.
The reasons are hard to pin down. Ohio isn't the only state to see increased deaths. Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Anne Ralston said traffic-crash deaths are also up nationally this year.
Despite the increase in fatalities this year, state troopers have made more drunken-driving arrests, ticketed more drivers and cited more people for not wearing seat belts.