DeKalb County’s death toll from car accidents in the last two months nearly equals the total from 1987. Six people died in traffic accidents in 1988, compared to eight fatalities in 1987.

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said he partly attributes the high number to the icy roads and winter months.

“In 1987, January and December accounted for 27 percent of all accidents reported,” Scott said. The significant increase in 1987 and 1988 is because of this season’s winter months going back to November, he said.

“There is really no specific pattern or location. We have had accidents due to weather, failing to yield the right of way and alcohol,” he said.

Scott said statistics in the sheriff’s office reveal a significant increase in the total number of accidents in 1987 and 1988.

The total number of accidents in 1987 was 687. Thus far, this year’s total is more than 175, high above the monthly average, Scott said.

He said he believes the primary cause of the accident increase is the increased speed limit on state highways from 55 mph to 65 mph.

“We do not have statistics to show a direct correlation, but we think people driving at a higher speed on the highway fail to reduce speed after exiting onto the two-lane roads,” Scott said.

State Police Trooper James Vargas said there will be no statistics to show direct correlation between the higher speed limit and deaths caused by accidents until May. “In May it will be the first full year (since the law went into effect) and we will do studies at that time,” he said.

Another reason Scott gave for the accident increase was the abundance of deer. “This is unique to our county. In 1987 we had a seven percent increase in deer related accidents,” he said.

Drunk driving did not seem to be a large factor for the increase in accidents. Vargas said, “DUI arrests have gone down. We find (those) ages 15 to 24 have the highest DUI rates, and ages 24 to 35 have the highest accident rates.”

“It’s very difficult to pinpoint” reasons for the increase in accidents and fatalities, Vargas said.