2009 was relatively safe year

By Steve McCausland
    2009 was a very safe year on the state’s highways and inside Maine homes. There also were fewer homicides last year than in 2008.
    Highway deaths — 2009 ended with 158 deaths on Maine roads, according to the Bureau of Highway Safety. That final number could change with any deaths this month that resulted from a crash in December.
    The 158 deaths were three more than the 2008 total of 155 deaths. Both 2009 and 2008 were the safest years on Maine roads in five decades.
    In 1959, 136 people lost their lives in Maine traffic crashes and that has been the safest year on Maine roads since World War II.
    Fire deaths — The State Fire Marshal’s Office says 14 people died in fires during 2009. That number equaled the death toll for 1991 as the second safest year ever.
    The all-time low for fire deaths in Maine was in 2007 and 1995 when 12 people lost their lives in each of those years.
    The deadliest year for fire deaths was 1967 when 70 people were killed. During the 30 years between 1950 and 1980, an average of 49 people died each year in Maine fires.
    Homicides — The final end of the year number was 26 homicides, as the death of a Portland man who died in late December has now been classified as a homicide. Portland Police continue to investigate the death of Than Yim, who died on December 20. Of the 26 homicides, State Police investigated 21 of them during the year.
    The 26 deaths were five fewer than the 31 homicides recorded in 2008. The deadliest year for homicides in Maine was 1989 when 40 deaths were reported. The safest year in modern times was 2000 when 11 homicides were investigated.
    Steve McCausland is public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety.