R.I. fatal accident rate rising

PROVIDENCE (AP) — Statistics show deadly crashes are on the rise across Rhode Island.

WPRI-TV reports that state Department of Transportation show 61 people died on Rhode Island roads between January and September of this year. That's a 50 percent increase from 2016, when 41 people died over the same time span.

Of those who died in 2017, a majority were occupants of motor vehicles.

Transportation officials say they are hoping to decrease the chance of fatalities through an annual media campaign.