Vermont Health and Safety Officials Talk Fatalities

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Credit AP Photo by Don Heupel

Vermont officials are trying to prevent any more highway fatalities this year by urging drivers to slow down, buckle up and not drive drunk or drug-impaired this holiday season.

Officials say Vermont has seen a spike in fatal crashes over last year — with 75 to date, compared to 51 last year.

They say 33 of the 75 who died weren't wearing seatbelts and 45 were impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen said it's tragic that most of the accidents were preventable. One-third of the fatalities involved excessive speed.

Chen and Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn spoke at a press conference at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

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