Number of traffic deaths way up in 2012
It's been a devastating year on Nova Scotia's road and highways with the number of people killed much higher than last year.
To date, 82 people have been killed on Nova Scotia highways, the highest number since 2007.
Before this year, the number of car-related fatalities was on the decline. In 2011, 65 people were killed.
Police believe a major factor is the growing number of distracted drivers -- people using their smartphones to talk and text while driving.
A spokesperson for Nova Scotia's Department of Transportation said they are very concerned about the spike in traffic deaths this year.
The department is hoping this is just an aberration and that the number of fatalities will decrease in 2013.
