11.   Lawmakers partly said they want to ensure the safety of Texans, who have led the nation with the highest number of alcohol-related traffic deaths.

12.   Much of the Midwest, from Illinois to Iowa, was pounded by snowstorms that cut power in some cities and caused traffic deaths in others.

13.   Other traffic deaths were reported this week in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and New York.

14.   One traffic death was linked to the storm, and at least four school districts in north-central Arkansas were closed because of flooded streets.

15.   Only nine states and Washington, D.C., fare worse than Missouri in percentages of traffic deaths that are alcohol-related.

16.   Police said reckless driving and substance abuse are also to blame for many traffic deaths.

17.   Texas earned a C grade because too many traffic deaths in the state involved alcohol, MADD director of public policy Bob Shearouse said.

18.   The number of traffic deaths rose last year, for the fourth year in a row, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday.

19.   The mayor said the expanded effort was necessary because traffic deaths had increased sharply in the city last year.

20.   There have been traffic deaths.