AAA Carolinas blames North Carolina's increased highway death toll last year on increases in fatal crashes involving alcohol or motorcycles.
While traffic deaths declined in most states, North Carolina had the biggest increase in 2007 with 1,675 deaths, up 121 from the year before. AAA says these statistics include:
* A 37 percent increase in motorcycle deaths, up from 138 in 2006 to 189 in 2007. Motorcycle deaths have been rising steadily nationwide, while other types of traffic deaths decline.
* A 25 percent increase in deaths involving alchol, up from 390 in 2006 to 489 in 2007.
AAA also says the number of drivers charged with speeding increased by 21 percent from 2003 to 2007, but convictions increased by only 6 percent.
“Our criminal justice system has to begin taking traffic offenses seriously,” said David E. Parsons, CEO and president of AAA Carolinas. “Nearly half of all those charged are not convicted, many having their cases dismissed by pleading to a lesser offense to avoid insurance or license points.”
The numbers of Hispanic drivers involved in fatal crashes (306) and in all crashes (25,337) in 2007 were higher than in 2006 — but the 2007 statistics were lower than the same figures for previous years, AAA said.
In 2004, Hispanic drivers were involved in 27,727 crashes, including 373 fatal crashes, in North Carolina. Hispanics make up the fastest-growing segment of North Carolina's population, with numbers that increased by 33 percent between 2003 and 2007.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
