(Undated)  --  Fatal traffic crashes in the state are on an upswing.  More than 540 fatalities have been recorded so far this year.  That's just over 50 more deaths than last year at this time.  Some 159 of the fatal crashes were alcohol related.  That's about one-in-four of the fatalities.  Distracted driving, such as texting, account for ten-percent of the fatalities.