Associated Press

The Highway Patrol reports 104 traffic deaths on North Dakota roads last year.

That compares with 111 traffic deaths in both in 2007 and 2006.

The patrol says last year brought 97 fatal crashes and 45 of them were alcohol-related, killing 50 people.

The state's average over the past five years is 51 traffic deaths involving alcohol.

The patrol says last year's numbers included 13 motorcycle deaths, the most in five years.