Twenty pedestrians and two cyclists have died in Maine this year after being hit by cars, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
The Maine Department of Transportation confirms those numbers, although they haven't officially entered the two most recent deaths.
MDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager Patrick Adams says the number of pedestrians and bicyclists struck and killed by cars has grown dramatically over the last few years.
"Over the last three years the numbers are, basically, double what they were previous to 2014," Adams says. "Two-thousand-three to 2014 - we've been right in that 9 to 11 range, and then in 2015 we went up to 19. So that was more than double."
Bicycle Coalition Executive Director John Williams says distracted driving was likely a major factor. "We think that a lot of that is caused by drivers paying attention to their cell phone or other electronic devices and it's an increasing concern."
Adams says a common thread among most of the deaths is that they took place in "low light conditions," heightening concern as Maine heads into its darkest part of the year.
In response, the MDOT and the Bicycle Coalition have been holding a series of pedestrian safety forums. Upcoming forums include one in Hallowell Nov. 29, and one in Rockland Dec. 6.
